THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


OPINIONS  OF  THE  PllESS. 

" '  The  Maple  Dell  of  '76'  is  a  temperance  tract  in  verse,  by  Mrs.  0.  A.  Pow 
ers,  who  relates,  with  evident  feeling,  the  too  common  story  of  a  home  niado 
desolate  by  the  curse  of  drink.  The  story  is  evidently  truthful,  and  is  told  in 
an  artless  way  that  disarms  criticism.  It  is  printed  for  the  author,  who  sells  the 
little  book  for  the  support  of  her  family. — Philadelphia  Times. 

"  This  is  a  poem  with  a  moral,  and  recounts  the  sufferings  of  a  wife  married 
to  an  intemperate  husband,  besides  criticising  with  great  freedom  the  laws  by 
which  she  suffered.  It  is  a  curiosity  in  literature." — Philadelphia  Ledger. 

" '  The  Maple  Dell'  is  the  title  of  a  volume  of  verse  by  Mrs.  0.  A.  Powers.  It 
depicts  the  evils  of  intemperance,  and  is  the  story  of  a  wife's  suffering.  Mrs. 
Powers  is  selling  her  book  for  her  livelihood." — Philadelphia  Chronicle-Herald. 

"  This  is  a  remarkable  collection  of  poems.  The  theme  is  a  home  made  deso 
late  by  drink.  The  artless  method  of  poetical  expression  is  novel  as  well  as 
surprising.  We  hardly  think  the  reader  will  be  content  with  a  single  extract. 
The  desire  will  be  to  devour  the  whole.  The  poems  disarm  criticism,  as  well  as 
criticising  the  laws  under  which  the  writer  was  a  sufferer,  married  to  an  in 
temperate  husband,  from  whom  there  was  no  divorce.  The  book  is  a  curiosity 
In  literature.  The  author,  Mrs.  Powers,  is  asking  our  citizens  to  purchase  it  for 
the  support  of  her  family." — Elmira  (N.  ¥.)  iMiily  Advertiser. 

" '  The  Maple  Dell  of  '76'  is  the  title  of  a  volume  of  poems  by  Mrs.  O.  A. 
Powers,  who  is  now  selling  the  work  in  this  city  for  a  livelihood.  It  is  a  versi 
fied  temperance  story,  told  with  great  pathos  and  feeling,  and  recounts  the  too 
common  story  of  a  home  desolated  by  the  curse  of  strong  drink.  The  volume 
cannot  fail  to  exert  a  healthful  influence  in  the.  cause  of  temperance,  and  no 
family  should  be  without  a  copy." — Auburn  (N.  Y.)  Daily  Advertiser. 

"  The  sad  story  is  told  in  a  frank  and  artless  way,  and  if  it  could  be  read  by 
every  person  addicted  to  the  use  of  strong  drink,  it  would  make  thousands  of 
converts  to  the  temperance  cause." — Syracuse  (N.  Y.)  Daily  Journal. 

" '  The  Maple  Dell  of  '76'  is  the  title  of  a  story  in  verse,  written  by  Mrs.  0.  A. 
Powers,  and  now  in  its  second  edition.  The  authoress,  who  is  a  worthy  woman, 
is  now  canvassing  this  city  for  the  little  volume.  '  The  Maple  Dell'  has  the 
merit  of  sincerity,  ami  tells  a  true  temperance  story  with  more  than  customary 
power  and  pathos." — Utica  (N.  Y.)  Morniiiy  Herald. 

"'The  Maple  Dell.'  The  above  is  the  title  of  an  intensely  interesting  tem 
perance  story  in  verse,  written  by  Mrs.  0.  A.  Powers,  who  is  now  in  this  city 
canvassing  for  it.  Mrs.  Powers  is  well  known  to  our  citizens,  having  before 
visited  us  canvassing  for  another  of  her  works,  which  was  very  popular  with 
our  people.  A  home  desolated  by  the  wine-cup  is  the  foundation  of  '  The  Maple 
Dell,'  and  while  the  story  is  sad,  it  is  remarkably  interesting  and  very  enter 
taining  and  wholesome  reading.  To  peruse  it  will  do  more  good  than  a  thou 
sand  temperance  lectures  from  the  rostrum,  and  great  good  could  be  done  by  the 
philanthropic  by  purchasing  large  numbers  of  this  most  deserving  lady,  who  hits 
suffered  from  the  woes  she  so  vividly  depicts,  and  scattering  among  our  people. 
Mrs.  Powei-s,  while  doing  a  blessed  work  in  the  great  cause  that  should  be  dear 
to  every  Christian  heart,  is  striving  in  this  way  to  supjwrt  her  household,  and 
our  citizens  who  gave  her  such  a  generous  welcome  before,  we  believe  will  feel 
that  she  deserves  all  the  kindly  assistance  they  can  give  her  by  purchasing  her 
book."— Bmyhamton  (N.  Y.)  Dnily  Leader. 

"Mre.  0.  A.  Powers  is  a  lady  who  is  entitled  to  no  small  amount  of  credit  for 
her  perseverance  in  supporting  her  family  by  selling  a  littlp  volume  of  poems, 
and  not  less  for  being  herself  the  author  of  the  vci-ses.  The  book  is  called 
'  The  Maple  Dell  of  '76,'  and  is  a  most  effective  document,  it  being  a  narrative 
illustrating  the  evil  of  intemperance.  It  is  the  story  of  a  family  whose  for 
tunes  were  blasted  by  the  curse  of  liquor.  Being  founded  upon  an  actual  ex 
perience,  the  mure  interest  is  added  to  the  pathetic  tale.  Mrs.  Powers  is  at 
present  in  this  city  engaged  in  the  toilsome  task  of  earning  a  livelihood  by 
selling  her  book."— Rochester  (N.  Y.)  Lady  Union  and  Advertiser. 


OPINIONS  OF  THE  PRESS. 

"...  Such  Is  the  tale  of  the  woes  of  Adelia  as  told  by  Mrs.  Powers.  We  need 
not  say  that  it  is  a  work  of  rare  originality.  Those  who  have  read  this  little 
outline  will  recognize  that  without  our  saying  it,  and  those — may  their  num 
ber  be  many — whose  appreciation  of  the  Good,  the  True,  and  the  Beautiful, 
may  lead  them  to  purchase  the  volume  and  pursue  their  studies  further,  will 
find  that  they  have  caught  but  a  glimpse  of  the  glories  within.  They  will 
find  that  for  the  trifling  sum  of  seventy-five  cents  they  have  obtained  a  work 
which  will  infuse  good  morals  into  giddy  youth,  refresh  and  comfort  over 
worked  middle  age,  and  smooth  the  path  of  age  to  the  grave.  They  will  also 
have  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  they  have  contributed  to  the  support  of 
the  author,  whose  sole  means  of  livelihood  is  through  the  sales  of  her  poems." 
—Buffalo  (N.  Y.)  Rrpress. 

"A  neat  little  volume,  whose  title  is  'The  Maple  Dell  of  T6,'  is  before  us. 
It  contains  a  poem  with  a  moral,  and  depicts  the  trials  and  tribulations  of  a 
woman  who  gives  her  hand  in  marriage  to  a  man  addicted  to  strong  drink. 
There  is  a  vein  of  pathos  running  through  lines  which  cannot  fail  to  touch  the 
hearts  of  the  sympathetic.  The  authoress,  Mrs.  0.  A.  Powers,  is  canvassing 
the  city  and  should  meet  with  a  warm  reception." — Buffalo  (N.  Y.)  Sunday 
Morning  News. 

" '  The  Maple  Dell  of  '76,'  by  Mrs.  0.  A.  Powers,  is  the  title  to  a  small  volume 
of  verse,  wh:ch  purports  to  tell  the  stnry  of  a  marriage  made  unhappy  by  the 
inebriate  habits  of  a  husband.  It  is  certainly  a  very  vivid  picture  of  domestic 
unhfippiiirax,  and  the  author  deserves  encouragement  in  the  sal"  of  her  book, 
from  which  she  derives  her  livelihood  and  independence." — Buffalo  (N.  Y.) 
Daily  Courier. 

"This  collection  of  poems  is  remarkable.  The  title  only  gives  rhe  location 
of  the  story,  which  is  that  of  a  home  desolated  by  the  terrible  curse  of  strong 
drink.  It  is  founded  upon  an  actual  experience,  and  as  a  temperance  tract  it 
is  most  instructive  and  effective.  The  woes  of  the  family  whose  fortunes  were 
blasted  are  graphically  and  vividly  depicted,  and  the  criticisms  of  the  author 
of  the  laws  which  compelled  the  wife  and  mother  to  suffer  from  the  cruelty  of 
her  husband  are  pointed  and  keen  Mrs.  Powers,  the  author,  is  in  the  city  dis 
posing  of  her  book,  and  she  should  meet  with  hearty  encouragement.  We 
have  here  a  large  temperance  element,  and  the  book  should  have  an  extended 
sale." — Washington  (D.  C.)  Republican,  Jan.  7,  1882. 

"Among  the  contributions  to  the  literary  world,  there  are  none  more  inter 
esting  nor  commendable  than  'The  Maple  Dell  of  '76.'  It  is  a  charming  tem 
perance  book  in  verse,  by  Mrs.  0.  A.  Powers,  whose  pen  pictures  of  the  havoc, 
desolation,  and  misery  brought  about  by  strong  drink  are  truthful  and  real. 
It  should  be  read  by  all  victims  of  intemperance  and  those  who  are  not." — 
Washington  (D.  C.)  Critic,  Dec.  30, 1881. 

"'The  Maple  Dell  of  '76'  re  the  title  of  what  may  properly  be  called  a  do 
mestic  poem,  relating  the  infelicities  of  a  matrimonial  alliance  that  was 
blighted  by  a  husband  s  intemperance.  The  verses  arc  simple  ami  expressive, 
and  embody  a  moral  that  may  be  taken  home  with  profit  to  the  hearts  of  every 
household." — Washington  (D.  C.)  Pott,  Jan.  30, 1882. 

"Mrs.  O.  A.  Powers  has  written  a  poem  entitled  'The  Maple  Dell  of  '76,' 
which  is  a  temperance  lecture  in  rhyme.  The  story  is  told  in  plain,  strong 
Bullish,  and  the  picture  it  draws  may  be  recognized  as  true  to  the  life  by  every 
ri-ader  who  has  seen  anything  of  the  world." — Harrisburg  Telegraph,  Dec.  8, 1881 . 


THE  MAPLE  DELL  OF  76. 


BY 

MRS.   O.  A.  POWERS. 


EIGHTH  EDITION. 


PRINTED   BY   LIPPIXCOTT   A   CO.,  PHILADELPHIA. 
1883. 


Copyright,  1878,  by  MRS.  0.  A.  POWERS. 


PS 


PEEFAOE. 


THIS  book  is  respectfully  dedicated  to  all  the 
friends  of  suffering  humanity, — those  who  believe 
in  the  Golden  Rule,  and  practice  it  in  word  and  deed. 

This  volume  has  at  least  one  merit,  and  that  is, 
brevity.  A  gifted  author  says : 

"  Books  are  like  leaves,  and  where  they  most  abound 
Much  fruit  of  sense  beneath  is  rarely  found  ; 
And  from  his  logic  we  may  reason  hence, 
The  fewer  leaves  in  books  the  more  the  sense." 

Adelia,  the  lawyer's  first  wife,  who  never  broke 
the  marriage-vow,  was  subpoenaed,  to  give  the  history 
of  her  matrimonial  experience,  by  Lieutenant  Jurist, 
a  "  handsome"  attorney  and  counsellor-at-law.  She 
at  once  proceeded  to  give  a  faithful  narrative  of  the 
ten  years  of  his  intemperate  legislation  through  which 
she  had  passed  for  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  in 
Pennsylvania.  Soon  as  the  legal  mandate  was  obeyed, 
Adelia  was  informed  that  if  she  presented  her  state 
ment  to  the  Keystone  Court,  Lieutenant  Jurist  would 
procure  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  and  take  possession 
of  her  only  child. 

"Whoever  takes  my  child  from  me, 
Will  be  unsafe  on  land  or  sea. 

I  thought  slavery  was  abolished  years  ago.  Does 
a  servile  law  still  exist  to  disgrace  the  statute  books 
permitting  the  separation  of  mother  and  child  ? 

Lieutenant  Jurist  himself,  with  a  canteen  full  of 

5 


Q  PREFACE. 

whiskey,  took  up  arms  against  the  South  to  help  ex 
terminate  slavery,  and  just  before  he  left  the  North 
to  go  on  that  mission,  he  displayed  his  military 
prowess  on  his  wife  by  striking  her  with  his  fist. 
While  the  tears  poured  down  her  cheeks,  she  said 
that  if  any  colored  woman  was  treated  as  cruelly  in 
the  South  as  she  was  in  the  North  by  her  wine- 
bibbing,  belligerent  husband,  she  hoped  and  prayed 
that  devastating  Avar  would  rage  till  the  besom  of 
destruction  had  swept  tyranny  from  the  face  of  the 
whole  earth. 

Long  years  have  passed  since  Freedom's  birth, 
Does  wrong  still  triumph  over  earth  ? 

Ye  friends  of  suffering  humanity,  Adelia,  not 
knowing  what  cruel  habeas  corpus  writ  may  next 
be  threatened  by  a  sworn  traitor  in  "this  land  of 
the  free  and  home  of  the  brave,"  requests  me  to 
dedicate  this  biography  to  you,  and  she  wishes  me 
to  ask  you  if  you  will  please  be  kind  enough  to 
send  her  legal  statement  forth  on  the  "  wings  of  the 
morning,"  and  to  take  good  care  of  her  child,  and 
let  him  not  be  kidnapped  by  Bacchus. 

For  the  rich  and  the  poor  there's  a  grave  and  a  shroud, 
But  a  Jersey  divorce  makes  the  lawyer  more  proud  ; 
He  can  court  with  his  license  beyond  Maple  Dell 
Without  any  fear  of  a  bigamist's  cell. 

Oh,  when  will  the  laurels  of  honest  renown 

Be  worn  by  the  victors  who  trample  vice  down  ? 

Knight-errants  of  mercy  who  battled  for  right, 

Has  all  their  true  valor  departed  from  sight  ? 

Are  the  just  and  the  noble,  the  wise  and  the  brave, 

All  sculptured  in  marble,  and  cold  in  the  grave  ? 

Oh,  when  will  the  triumph  of  virtue  and  truth 

Be  honored  by  age  and  respected  by  youth, 

And  the  golden  age  visit  earth's  planet  once  more, 

With  good  deeds  prolific  that  none  need  deplore  ? 


CONTENTS. 


PAOB 

A  Mother's  Counsel 9 

Adelia  marries  the  Lawyer 11 

The  Students'  Serenade 12 

The  Deacon  comes      ........     13 

Seeking  a  Home .14 

The  Mountain  Exiles 23 

Adelia  alone  with  the  Lawyer's  Infant     .        .        .         .25 
Miss  Alice  comes        .         .         .        .  .        .         .26 

The  Lawyer  comes 27 

The  Lawyer  continues  to  Imbibe 30 

The  Lawyer's  Father  Laments 31 

The  Court  of  Love 33 

Courting  in  the  Maple  Dell       .  ...     35 

The  Lawyer's  Vesperee  in  the  Maple  Dell        .  .40 

Delilah's  Vesperee  in  the  Maple  Dell        .        .        .        .41 

The  Freemason  Lodge 44 

The  Lawyer's  Matinee  in  the  Maple  Dell          .        .        .45 
Delilah's  Matinee  in  the  Maple  Dell          .        .        .        .46 

Adelia  writes  to  her  Hushand 47 

Jurist  writes  to  his  Wife 47 

Adelia  Prays 48 

Courting  in  the  Maple  Dell  continues       .         .        .        .49 
The  Lawyer's  Vesperee  in  the  Maple  Dell        .         .         .51 

The  Court  of  Justice 57 

Jurist  vs.  Adelia 59 

A  Subpoena  in  Divorce 61 


g  CONTENTS. 

PAG« 

Adelia's  Statement 62 

Lieutenant  Jurist 69 

Pennsylvania's  Verdict 76 

A  Telegram  to  Themis  and  Bellona 77 

A  Telegram  to  Delilah 78 

A  Telegram  to  Excelsior 79 

A  Telegram  to  Beau-Monde-Beau  Society  .  .  .81 
Courting  in  the  Maple  Dell  continues  .  .  .  .83 
The  Lawyer's  Vesperee  in  the  Maple  Dell  .  .  .84 
A  Telegram  to  the  Hon.  Court  of  New  Jersey  Chancery, 

of  1876 85 

A  Telegram  to  Church-going  People        .         .         .         .91 

Farewell,  Farewell  Forever 91 

The  Highest  and  Best  Court      .  ....    95 


THE  MAPLE  DELL  OF  '76. 


A  MOTHER'S  COUNSEL. 

THE  eve  before  marriage  a  good  mother  said  : 
"  Adelia,  wait  longer ;  'tis  solemn  to  wed. 
'Tis  true  there  is  beauty  in  his  brilliant  eyes, 
He  talks  like  a  lover  true,  honest,  and  wise ; 
Yet  you  would  be  safer,  Adelia,  my  child, 
If  you  would  reject  him.     This  world  is  a  wild 
Of  poor  wedded  people,  who  suffer  and  roam, 
Devoid  of  the  comforts  and  blessings  of  home. 
Here  rich  fields  are  blooming  with  clover  and  wheat, 
And  our  cellars  are  filled  with  plenty  to  eat ; 
'Twas  here  that  you  drew  your  first  infantile  breath  ; 
And  here  you  can  live  from  your  birth  till  your  death. 
This  homestead  your  father  provided  for  you 
Will  keep  you  in  comforts  as  you  journey  through 
The  light  and  the  shadow  on  life's  human  tide, 
Let  the  silver  bells  ring  for  another  his  bride. 
Poor  people  in  trouble  have  come  here  for  years ; 
Your  fattier  and  I  have  both  looked  on  their  tears 
And  given  them  rations  of  nourishing  food. 
The  farms  are  prolific,  the  orchards  are  good, 
A  marriage  may  bring  you  as  lowly  as  these 
To  whom  we  have  given  the  meat,  bread,  and  cheese. 

9 


10  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

Look  out  on  this  valley  where  you  have  a  share, 
Broad  acres  yield  for  us  enough  and  to  spare. 
Had  I,  like  a  gypsy,  consented  to  roam, 
In  the  desert  might  be  your  desolate  home." 

"  Oh,  mother,  I  love  him !     Do,  do  let  me  go ! 
Without  him  my  heart  is  an  organ  of  woe. 
Young  Jurist  is  wooing  so  charming  and  bland, 
Farewell  to  the  orchards  and  fine  cultured  land. 
Please  give  your  consent,  and  his  fortunes  I'll  try, 
He  never  will  cause  me  to  famish  and  sigh. 
He's  brave  and  he's  handsome,  the  best  one  of  all 
The  valiant  coterie  that  ever  did  call. 
My  mind  is  fixed  on  him,  and  he  is  my  choice, 
Enraptured  I  listen  to  hear  his  dear  voice. 
He  sings  from  best  poets  the  sweetest  of  songs, 
He  never  was  guilty  of  criminal  wrongs. 
He  loves  from  pure  motives  of  honor  and  truth, 
He  says,  '  We'll  live  happy  as  Boaz  and  Ruth.' '; 

"  Though  his  words  and  his  deeds  seem  genial  and 

kind, 

No  friend  like  a  mother  a  daughter  can  find. 
Home  comforts  and  blessings  are  treasured  in  store, 
And  loving  ones  faithful,  why  wish  you  for  more  ? 
The  orchards  have  blossomed  and  fruitful  the  trees, 
'Mid  the  chirping  of  birds  and  the  humming  of  bees, 
The  hives  flow  with  honey,  and  bowls  flow  with  cream, 
O  why  should  a  lawyer  be  your  chosen  theme  ? 
Paths  wind  through  the  meadow  and  fine  shady  grove, 
Your  time  is  your  own :  you  can  work,  read,  or  rove, 
You  can  drive  through  the  valley  the  sorrel  or  the 

bay. 
Your  marriage  may  banish  home  comforts  away, 


AD  ELI  A   MARRIES  THE  LAWYER.  \\ 

The  garden  is  blooming  to  welcome  your  eyes, 
And  are  you  not  happy  'ueath  bright  smiling  skies  ?" 

"  My  present  and  future,  for  sorrow  or  weal, 

Depends  upon  Jurist ;  'tis  true  love  I  feel. 

His  standard  of  virtue  is  noble  and  high, 

Upon  him  my  future  can  safely  rely. 

'Tis  true  love  illumines  his  dark  flashing  eyes, 

And  for  me  he's  pleading  with  eloquent  sighs, 

Oh,  mother,  I  know  that  he  brings  a  good  fate, 

For  me  he  has  come  from  Pacific's  gold  State. 

Oh,  give  your  consent  or  the  world  will  look  drear, 

Without  him  I'll  languish  'mid  blooming  fields  here  " 

"  My  child,  you  love  deeply,  I  sigh  a  consent, 

May  God  in  his  mercy  pitch  safely  your  tent ! 

JTis  sad  for  a  mother  when  children  depart, 

The  loved  ones  she  nurtured  upon  her  warm  heart. 

Maternal  affection  like  mine  suffers  pain, 

The  thoughts  of  your  welfare  are  filling  my  brain ; 

But  as  you're  a  captive  and  love  is  a  snare, 

I  hope  that  your  captor  will  give  you  good  care. 

Wherever  you  wander,  wherever  you  stay, 

Look  upward  for  strength  and  remember  to  pray." 


ADELIA  MARRIES  THE  LAWYER. 

No  festal  rejoicing,  no  feast  was  prepared, 

The  flocks  and  the  herds  from  slaughter  were  spared 

Her  mother  and  brothers  refused  to  attend, 

To  see  her  united  with  Jurist,  her  friend. 


12  THE  MAPLE  DELL    OF  '76. 

'Tvvas  less  than  one  year  since  her  father  had  died, 
And  sable  crape  hung  on  the  form  of  the  bride, 
While  hope,  blessed  hope,  filled  her  heart  and  her 

head, 

She  judged  of  the  living  by  him  that  was  dead. 
She  thought  of  her  father,  who  always  was  kind, 
And  thought  best  of  virtues  in  manhood  combined. 

No  science  had  taught  her  that  flesh  from  a  horse* 
Could  make  man  inconstant  in  love's  sacred  course, 
She  thought  he  was  made  in  God's  image  of  dust, 
And,  like  his  Creator,  was  pure,  kind,  and  just. 
No  vision  presented  a  wine-glass  or  flask 
That  time  in  the  future  would  ever  unmask. 
The  pastor's  own  parlor  was  cheerful  and  bright, 
Adelia  and  Jurist  were  wedded  all  right. 


THE  STUDENTS'  SERENADE. 

THE  eve  after  marriage  the  students  in  glee, 

Assembled  to  have  a  fine  jubilee. 

They  gathered  around  the  home  of  the  bride, 

Like  an  army  with  banners  they  marched  side  by  side ; 

Came  up  to  the  garden  and  gave  a  salute 

With  musket  and  viol,  drum,  fife,  and  lute. 

The  bride's  mother  descended  and  said  to  the  boys, 

"  Come  into  my  basement,  we  need  no  applause ; 

*  Adelia  does  not  yet  believe  the  unscientific  new-fangled 
notion  that  man  was  originally  created  from  horse-flesh  or 
dog-flesh,  although  the  fidelity  of  a  biped  like  Jurist  is  very 
diminutive  when  compared  with  that  of  a  faithful  quadruped. 


THE  DEACON  COMES.  13 

The  coffee  and  apples,  the  mince-pies  and  cake, 
You're  welcome  to  eat,  and  most  freely  partake, 
For  coming  unbidden  with  gladsome  salute, 
To  welcome  the  bridegroom  with  viol  and  lute. 

"  Some  students  are  merry  'mid  plenty  or  dearth, 
In  spite  of  sage  teachers  they  glory  in  mirth. 
Be  good  and  be  happy,  no  one  need  despair, 
The  moonlight  is  charming  and  frosty  the  air. 
Don't  court  till  a  cottage  is  yours  without  rent; 
With  text-books  of  knowledge,  young  men,  be  con 
tent; 

Let  not  busy  Cupid  allure  you  to  wed 
Until  you  are  able  to  earn  your  own  bread. 
Take  care  of  your  hearts  and  take  care  of  your  health, 
Remember  that  wisdom  is  better  than  wealth. 
Young  men,  be  ye  valiant  for  virtue  and  right ; 
The  college  bell  rings  and  I  bid  you  good-night." 


THE  DEACON   COMES. 

NEXT  morning  strange  tidings  came  over  the  hill, 
A  gocd  deacon  brought  them,  and  they  caused  a 

thrill. 

"  Adelia,  I'm  told  that  you  are  married,"  he  said  ; 
"  You  are  a  church  member, — I'm  told  that  you're  wed 
To  a  man  who  drinks  whiskey  and  treats  the  whole 

crowd. 

If  this  be  a  fact  you  will  see  a  dark  cloud  ; 
The  '  Slackness  of  darkness'  will  hang  o'er  your  life ; 
You  cannot  be  happy  if  such  a  man's  wife." 


14  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

Adelia  felt  hopeful,  and  said,  "  He  is  pure ; 
I  think  that  his  love  for  me  will  endure. 
I  think  that  this  rumor  is  false  and  untrue ; 
But  I  am  aware  it  was  not  made  by  you. 
With  whiskey  I'll  never  make  one  compromise, 
Its  sparkling  potations  shall  not  blear  my  eyes. 
No  rum-cloud  to  darken  my  future  appears ; 
Of  vapors  from  alcohol  I  have  no  fears." 

"  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  warn  you  before ; 

The  shadows  may  deepen  to  make  you  deplore. 

I  hope  that  your  husband  may  prove  good  and  true 

And  ever  be  faithful  and  gentle  to  you ; 

In  purest  affection  I  hope  you  may  dwell 

And  your  union  prove  happy.     Adelia,  farewell." 

"  The  Lord  of  all  wisdom  is  able  to  save 
A  wine-glass  from  digging  out  soil  for  my  grave. 
Good  deacon,  your  duty  most  faithful  is  done, 
As  yet  I'm  exempt  from  the  riots  of  rum. 
I'll  pray  the  Great  Master  to  daily  provide, 
And  send  a  good  angel  to  stay  by  my  side, 
To  guard  me  from  perils  by  day  and  by  night. 
I  thank  you  for  holding  a  signal  in  sight, 
And  if  in  my  future  clouds  gather  in  view, 
I'll  think  of  your  warning  and  friendly  adieu." 


SEEKING  A  HOME. 

IN  marriage  united,  the  bridegroom  and  bride 
Looked  out  in  the  world  for  a  home  to  reside. 
Her  mother  gave  plenty  to  help  him  prepare, 
And  Jurist  demanded  Adelia's  whole  share. 


SEEKING   A   HOME.  15 

He  said  Jersey  law  placed  them  all  in  his  hold, 
And  he  would  take  care  of  her  bank-notes  and  gold. 
They  went  over  rivers  and  mountains  to  find 
A  cottage  and  climate  of  favorable  kind. 
On  the  bank  of  St.  Croix  they  found  an  abode, 
And  Jurist  a  garden  of  vegetables  sowed ; 
He  ploughed  and  he  planted,  then  let  the  rank  weeds 
Grow  up  and  choke  out  agricultural  seeds. 
Adelia  toiled  faithful  to  have  a  good  home, 
While  Jurist  drank  freely  and  went  forth  to  roam. 
He  mixed  ale  and  porter,  wine,  brandy,  and  beer ; 
They  boiled  in  his  stomach,  the  riot  was  near. 
He  lingered  in  bar-rooms  till  late  in  the  night, 
Came  home  from  his  comrades  prepared  for  a  fight. 
He  swore  and  he  raved  for  the  battle  and  feud, 
While  Adelia  prepared  him  warm  raiment  and  food. 
Before  and  since  marriage,  alas !  his  reform 
Was  brief  as  the  crackling  of  a  blazing  thorn. 

"  Adelia,"  said  he,  "  butter  costs  me  too  much, 
It  is  too  expensive  for  your  lips  to  touch ; 
This  winter  without  it  you  surely  must  do, 
Forty  cents  for  one  pound  costs  too  much  to  feed 

you." 

Short  rations  when  wedded  one  year  and  no  more, 
She  never  had  heard  of  privation  before. 
She  told  him  the  Devil  owned  grog-shops  and  stills, 
But  God  owned  the  cattle  on  thousands  of  hills ; 
Good  bread  and  good  butter  were  wholesome  to  eat, 
God  never  intended  that  corn,  rye,  and  wheat 
Should  turn  into  whiskey  to  brutalize  man, 
While  women  were  starving,  'twas  no  righteous  plan. 
Poor  women  and  childi'en  in  poverty  clad, 
Deprived  of  home  comforts,  by  hunger  made  sad ; 


16  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

Young  faces  looked  aged  in  life's  early  morn, 
For  want  of  provision,  the  wheat,  rye,  and  corn ; 
The  millions  of  bushels  of  nourishing  grain, 
The  forty  million  bushels  from  hillside  and  plain, 
All  yearly  destroyed  in  producing  vile  drink, 
To  drown  best  of  virtues,  in  vices  worst  sink. 

"  Adelia,  I  swear  that  you  are  another 
Pious  fanatic,  and  worse  than  your  mother. 
The  climate  is  cold,  and  Wisconsin  is  high ; 
Here  flasks  and  decanters  will  never  get  dry. 
-I  swear  you're  a  source  of  more  sorrow  than  joy, 
Come,  pack  up  your  goods,  and  we'll  seek  Illinois." 

In  fair  Elgin  city  he  started  a  home, 
All  covered  with  mortgage  from  cellar  to  dome ; 
He  planted  a  garden,  it  blossomed  in  town, 
Prolific  with  nettles  and  thistles'  bright  down  ; 
Wild  grasses  grew  thrifty,  and  covered  the  spot, 
Potatoes  and  cabbage  could  vegetate  not ; 
And  if  she  looked  for  them  in  summer  or  fall, 
She  needed  a  microscope,  they  were  so  small. 
'Tis  not  in  high  latitudes  only  that  rum 
Makes  domestic  affections  to  sorrow  succumb ; 
No  matter  what  climate,  how  balmy  and  fair, 
The  storm-cloud  of  whiskey  brings  blackest  despair. 
A  house  was  divided  by  whiskey's  high  tide. 
No  rainbow  of  promise  gave  cheer  to  the  bride. 
She  hoped  on  and  hoped  on  that  he  would  reform, 
And  bright  days  of  happiness  follow  the  storm. 

A  fair  infant  came,  and  Adelia's  warm  heart 
Hoped  the  demon  of  rum  would  forever  depart ; 
That  Jurist,  the  father,  would  love  his  first-born, 
And  dash  down  the  wine-cup  that  makes  home  forlorn. 


SEEKING  A   HOME.  17 

The  babe  was  unhappy,  she  moaned  night  and  day, 
She  soared  from  this  earth  on  bright  pinions  away ; 
And  Jurist  kept  drinking  the  same  as  before ; 
He  came  from  his  cups  to  hold  riot  once  more. 
He  pulled  up  Adelia  from  out  the  arm-chair, 
And  said,  "  For  gymnastics  you  now  must  prepare ; 
Youi  head  to  the  ceiling  now  upright  move  fleet, 
While  into  my  hands  I  will  steady  your  feet, 
And  then  I'll  reverse  your  position,  for  once 
You  shall  stand  on  your  head,  my  poor,  crazy  dunce." 
Adelia  begged  Jurist  to  let  her  have  rest, 
She  told  him  his  doings  caused  painful  distress ; 
But  Jurist,  unconscious,  with  rum  in  his  head, 
Would  heed  not  one  word  of  the  warning  she  said. 
The  nerves  were  all  stretched,  and  the  organs  gave  way ; 
Oh,  that  deed  was  more  cruel  than  daggers  that  slay. 
Adelia  just  rising  from  her  travail-bed 
Was  not  an  athletic  to  stand  on  her  head ; 
But  rum  has  its  license  to  torture  with  grief, 
And  open  new  graves  to  give  women  relief. 
For  months  she  was  helpless  and  suffered  with  pain ; 
On  the  bed  and  arm-chair  she  was  forced  to  remain. 
She  looked  like  a  shadow  of  her  former  self. 
He  sent  her  to  Jersey  in  quest  of  lost  health, 
Where  salt-water  breezes  cotdd  waft  and  restore 
The  sick  and  impoverished  on  ocean's  lone  shore, 
Where  noise  of  the  bittern  and  seafaring  gull 
Could  solace  the  heart  and  its  sorrows  all  lull. 
She  looked  like  a  woman  approaching  the  grave. 
Where  now  is  her  husband  so  handsome  and  brave? 
He  is  off  in  a  grog-shop,  at  Springfield  afar, 
Along  the  Sangamon,  attending  a  bar. 
In  the  storms  of  the  world,  bleak,  chilly,  and  drear, 
She  stands  without  consort  to  comfort  and  cheer ; 

2 


18  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

Her  money  brave  Jurist  had  scattered  abroad, 
And  the  time  was  fast  coming  for  her  to  be  lawed. 

The  rum-clouds  had  gathered  like  mountains  in  size, 
But  God  was  above  them,  she  lifted  her  eyes. 
She  did  not  drink  whiskey,  she  did  not  drink  gin, 
A  school-house  was  open,  she  labored  therein. 
She  went  on  this  mission  through  cold,  heat,  and 

storm, 

In  hopes  to  get  clothing  for  her  suffering  form. 
She  plod  through  the  meadows  and  o'er  the  long  road  ; 
She  boarded  around  from  abode  to  abode, 
Among  the  good  people  whose  children  she  taught. 
At  the  close  of  each  day  their  dwellings  were  sought, 
Their  homes  in  the  country,  on  hillside  and  plain. 
And  by  sweat  of  her  brow  and  sweat  of  her  brain 
The  school  year  was  finished,  brought  money  hard 

earned, 

And  words  of  condolence  "  their  children  had  learned." 
The  woods  and  the  meadows  looked  frosty  and  sere, 
The  leaves  were  fast  falling,  the  storms  were  severe. 
Adelia's  thin  raiment  was  getting  threadbare, 
She  suffered  for  clothing  in  Autumn's  bleak  air ; 
She  needed  a  cloak  to  protect  her  slight  form, 
Compelled  to  face  Boreas  in  storm  ai'ter  storm. 
But,  lo,  when  her  earnings  were  ready  to  spend, 
They  straightway  were  taken  by  Jurist,  her  friend. 
The  friend  who  had  sold  at  a  constable  sale 
The  gifts  from  her  mother's  good  home  in  the  vale, 
The  friend  who  had  made  her  drink  dregs  worse  than 

gall, 

Came  forth  from  a  grog-shop,  again  took  her  all. 
She  taught  school  and  taught  school,  and  Jurist 

paid, 
To  help  him  get  sober  he  made  her  afraid ; 


SEEKING  A   HOME.  19 

He  told  her  in  Jersey  it  was  a  wise  law 
That  all  the  wives'  earnings  the  husbands  must  draw. 
Submissive  she  yielded,  and  hoped  he'd  prove  true, 
And  kindly  return  all  her  funds  that  were  due. 
Strong  hope  nerved  her  soul  this  subjection  to  bear, 
She  thought  the  time  coming  when  for  her  he'd  care. 

0 

Dear  Jurist  was  teaching,  and  wore  a  new  suit, 
The  prospect  looked  brighter  for  sober  repute. 
Dear  Jurist  for  years  had  been  wishing  a  son, 
Again  lie  was  father,  an  infant  had  come. 
Adelia  was  hopeful,  and  thought  this  event 
Would  sober  her  husband  and  make  him  content 
To  settle  his  mind  on  his  child  and  his  wife, 
And  raise  him  to  manhood  above  whiskey's  strife. 
But,  ah,  the  millennium  time  had  not  come, 
That  natal  day  Jurist  made  merry  with  rum. 
The  mother  and  infant  were  left  all  alone, 
While  tares  on  the  mountain  and  valley  were  sown. 
He  looked  on  his  boy  through  the  lenses  of  rum, 
And  said,  "  Little  fellow,  too  soon  you  have  come. 
My  world  is  too  small,  there  is  no  room  for  you ; 
And  where  I  shall  keep  you  I  cannot  see  through. 
There's  old  Mr.  Cox*  in  his  villa  so  fine, 
Perhaps  lie  will  take  this  bright  youngster  of  mine. 
He  never  was  blessed  with  a  daughter  or  son, 
To  him  and  his  brothers  at  once  I  will  run. 


*  The  Messrs.  Cox  were  three  aged  brothers.  A  New  Jer 
sey  paper  stated  that  their  united  ages  were  two  hundred  and 
twenty-nine  years.  It  was  by  the  bedside  of  one  of  these  in 
firm  old  gentlemen  that  Lieutenant  Jurist  placed  a  cradle  to 
receive  Adelia's  infant  child.  A  venerable-looking  old  lady, 
whose  home  was  under  the  hospitable  roof  where  aged  people 
seemed  to  convene,  said  that  she  did  not  know  how  Mr.  Cox 


20  THE  MAPLE  DELL    OF  '76. 

I  think  that  a  cradle  will  cheer  their  old  age, 
And  your  playmate  can  be  their  spotted  dog  Maj. 

could  get  along  with  a  baby  in  his  room,  for  he  was  sick  and 
could  not  bear  to  be  disturbed  by  children.  Adelia  looked 
upon  her  poor,  innocent  infant,  whom  she  loved  more  than 
language  could  tell.  She  had  cut  up  all  her  best  clothes  to 
keep  it  warm.  She  had  watched  over  it  with  the  most  tender, 
maternal  affection  during  its  brief  period  of  existence  by  day 
and  by  night. 

Lieutenant  Jurist  intended  to  leave  his  infant  child  with 
these  aged,  infirm  people.  He  designed  to  have  his  wife  go 
out  in  the  world  and  earn  her  own  living,  and  give  him  her 
earnings  also,  in  compliance  with  his  beautiful  laws,  just  as 
she  had  done  previous  to  the  birth  of  her  second  child. 

He  said,  "  Adelia,  you're  crazy  !  the  New  Jersey  laws  give 
the  wife  to  the  husband ;  he  may  govern  the  household,  choose 
her  associates,  separate  her  from  her  relatives,  restrain  her 
personal  and  religious  freedom,  and,  if  necessary,  chastise  her 
with  the  same  moderation  he  would  an  apprentice  or  child. 
Legitimate  children  belong  to  the  father.  He  is  entitled  to 
their  labor,  custody,  and  has  power  to  dispose  of  them  till 
they  are  twenty-one,  by  deed  or  legacy,  even  if  they  are  un 
born  at  his  death.  He  may,  by  will,  at  his  death  give  them 
away  from  the  mother  into  the  custody  of  any  guardian. 
Adelia,  you  are  crazy,  and  know  nothing  about  law." 

"  Lieutenant  Jurist,  whoever  has  a  heart  hard  enough  to 
put  such  laws  into  practice  is  cruel  as  Nero,  the  tyrant  of 
Borne,  who  roasted  people  for  his  amusement." 

"Adelia,  you  are  nothing  but  a  crazy  woman,  and  these 
wise  laws  that  I  have  just  repeated  for  your  consideration 
come  from  the  best  legal  authority  known,  and  are  purposely 
intended  to  promote  the  highest  and  best  welfare  of  both 
mothers  and  their  children ;  but  you're  a  '  non  compos,'  and 
cannot  understand  the  salutary  influence  that  laws  have  over 
women-idiots  and  children." 

"  Lieutenant  Jurist,  indescribable  agony  fills  my  whole 
being.  I  think  it  would  be  very  cruel  to  leave  my  infant,  of 
less  than  one  year  and  a  half  old,  with  a  consumptive  person, 
whose  feeble  health  and  extreme  age  requires  kind  considera 
tion  ;  he  already  has  his  two  aged,  infirm  brothers  to  support. 
I  was  lawfully  married  to  you.  You  are  the  father  of  my 
child  You  are  a  young,  strong,  able-bodied  man,  and  I  must 


SEEKING  A   HOME.  21 

Your  mother  must  leave  you  as  soon  as  she  can, 
And  go  at  school-teaching,  'tis  time  she  began. 

confess  that,  being  'nothing  but  a  woman,'  I  fail  to  see  the 
justness  of  such  unnatural  proceedings." 

"  This  is  the  home  that  I  engage ; 
Adelia,  go  and  tread  the  stage. 
Put  a  blue  stocking  on  your  head, 
And  folks  will  think  you  are  well-bred." 

"  Lieutenant  Jurist,  I  have  a  conscience,  and  it  informs  me 
that  I  must  not  leave  my  child  or  I  shall  instantly  be  whirled 
into  the  depths  of  the  cavern  of  misery  by  a  tornado  of  self- 
reproachful  thoughts." 

"  Adelia,  you  are  nothing  but  a  woman ;  you  need  have  no 
further  care  of  your  infant ;  you  can  leave  it  here  for  safe 
keeping." 

"  Lieutenant  Jurist,  if  I  am  nothing  but  a  woman,  a  good 
home  of  comfort  and  plenty  were  always  mine  till  after  1 
married  you,  and  it  is  your  intoxicating  habits,  and  nothing 
else,  that  has  brought  me  down  into  the  deep  vale  of  poverty." 

Adelia  took  her  child  out  of  that  cradle  just  as  its  head 
touched  the  pillow  for  the  first  time,  clasped  it  firmly  in  her 
arms,  and  with  God's  help  has  always  taken  good  care  of  it 
with  a  true-hearted  mother's  fidelity,  while  Lieutenant  Jurist 
has  acted  the  part  of  a  truant  husband  and  father,  and  has 
shown  but  little  less  compassion  for  his  family  than  the 
heathen,  who  throw  their  offspring  into  the  Ganges  River  as 
an  offering  for  the  gods. 

Soon  after  the  Libertyville  scene  had  transpired,  Lieutenant 
Jurist  went  to  Deckertown  among  the  hills  of  old  Sussex, 
got  wildly  intoxicated,  held  a  riot  there,  fell  down  the  hotel 
steps,  and  kept  on  falling  through  the  hall,  over  the  piazza, 
and  down  the  lower  flight  of  hotel  steps,  till  he  fell  on  the 
street  pavement  all  bruised  and  mangled,  and  then,  instead  of 
being  carried  inside  of  the  hotel  to  receive  kind,  hospitable 
treatment,  he  was  carried  to  the  hotel  barn,  and  alarmed  the 
adjoining  neighborhood  with  his  terrific  midnight  cries  of 
delirium  tremens.  In  this  same  town  he  presented  his  pistol 
and  threatened  to  shoot  a  man  for  saying  "  Hurrah  for  Grant 
and  Colfax." 

During  the  same  season  Lieutenant  Jurist  held  a  riot  in 


22  THE   MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

Each  day  of  her  illness  to  me  is  a  loss, 
Your  presence  is  dreadful,  you  cry  loud  and  cross. 
You  must  both  earn  your  living  or  from  me  with 
draw, 

For  I'm  an  attorney  in  chancery  law." 
Too  long  for  him  Adelia  taught  the  public  school, 
Too  long  her  neck  had  bowed  beneath  his  iron  rule. 
Alas !  in  Chrisman's  barn,  at  Deckertown,  he  laid 
A  fine  Preceptor  for  the  highest  Sussex  grade. 

To  furnish  a  home  for  his  wife  and  his  boy 
Took  some  of  his  cash  and  diminished  his  joy. 
Let  people  all  drink  and  no  mortal  be  fed, 
Was  the  passion  that  ruled  the  lawyer's  wise  head. 
Few  words  of  affection,  his  tares  had  been  sown, 
Wild  oats  in  the  valley  and  mountain  had  grown ; 
And  now  he  was  reaping  a  harvest  so  great, 
To  gather  the  sheaves  kept  him  toiling  out  late. 
'Twas  long  after  midnight  he  often  would  come 
Well  freighted  with  whiskey  and  rabid  with  rum, 
And  handle  his  pistol  and  swear  to  take  life, 
And  drop  burning,  lamps  near  his  child  and  his  wife. 

She  told  him  his  conduct  was  breaking  her  heart, 
In  riots  she  never  could  take  any  part ; 

Colesville,  New  Jersey,  and  after  the  battle,  looked  as  if  he 
had  been  in  a  severe  contest  with  wild  animals.  Again  he  fell 
headlong  from  the  high  hotel  piazza  into  the  street.  Never 
theless,  with  all  his  bacchanalian  exploits,  he  was  considered 
"  good  looking,"  and  went  in  good  society  soon  as  the  delirium 
rabies  of  baneful  alcohol  were  over.  Lieutenant  Jurist  was 
the  proprietor  at  this  very  time  (I  think)  of  a  first-grade 
teacher's  certificate.  Where  lives  an  intemperate  woman 
who  could  procure  a  first-grade  certificate  to  black  a  respect 
able  man's  boots  ? 


THE  MOUNTAIN  EXILES.  23 

Her  health  and  her  strength  were  fast  failing  each  day, 

His  conduct  was  wasting  her  life  all  away. 

He  must  mend  his  ways  Or  she  could  not  remain, 

For  he  was  so  cruel  when  he  was  insane. 

The  lawyer  was  artful,  in  strategy  keen  ; 

He  stroked  his  dark  moustache  and  looked  most 

serene. 

He  knew  of  a  project,  and  sought  for  a  man, 
And  paid  him  five  dollars  to  work  on  the  plan. 

A  carter  with  horses,  who  moved  freight  away, 
He  brought  to  his  house  on  a  midsummer  day, 
To  help  him  unfurnish  his  whole  suite  of  rooms. 
They  took  off  the  cook-stove,  the  bed  and  the  brooms. 
There  was  nothing  to  eat  in  his  tenement  walls. 
And  famine  when  threatened  the  barvest  appalls. 
'Mid  riot  and  hunger  what  woman  can  stand, 
When  a  sword  is  uplifted  in  her  husband's  hand, 
All  sharpened  for  murder  and  ready  to  fall 
At  any  time  summoned  by  King  Alcohol  ? 
The  spirits  of  whiskey  were  boiling  so  high, 
Adelia  must  go  or  Adelia  must  die. 
Toward  the  wild  deer's  haunt  and  the  buffalo's  gleii 
He  sends  off  his  wife,  and  he's  courting  again. 
Delilah,  the  charmer,  appears  in  his  sight, 
And  the  Maple  Dell  blossoms  in  Luna's  pale  light. 


THE  MOUNTAIN  EXILES. 

ADELIA  and  her  infant  child 
To  a  lone  mountain  were  exiled. 
Nine  changing  years  of  life  had  fled, 
Her  mother  laid  among  the  dead. 


24  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

Of  her  once  happy  home  afar 

She  thought  beneath  the  evening  star. 

Within  that  home  her  mother's  breath 

Said  "  precious  Jesus"  calm  in  death. 

True  faith  sustained  her  parting  soul, 

Safely  she  reached  the  final  goal. 

Adelia  was  a  wanderer  now 

Upon  the  mountain's  rugged  brow, 

Far  from  her  home  of  childhood's  glee, 

With  sunny  days  of  laughter  free, 

Where  she  had  spent  her  happy  years. 

From  there  she  went  to  cares  and  fears 

Into  a  path  with  unknown  guide, 

A  truant  who  deceived  his  bride. 

He  spent  her  means  for  wine  and  rum, 

Sad  vintage  days  for  her  had  come. 

She  gathered  berries  that  grew  wild 

To  feed  herself  and  little  child  ; 

Oft  carried  him  as  best  she  could, 

'Mid  brush  and  brambles  in  the  wood. 

Through  tangled  swamp  of  weed  and  thorn 

She  wandered  forth  a  "  hope  forlorn" 

To  where  the  sweetest  berries  grew, 

And  spiders  and  mosquitoes  too. 

There  blackbird,  robin,  and  the  jay 

Held  merry  festals  every  day. 

Unlike  fine  Jurist,  they  were  good, 

To  let  his  family  share  their  food  : 

The  black,  the  blue,  and  berries  red, 

On  which  the  babe  was  daily  fed. 

The  swamp  for  him  was  full  of  glee, 

He  feared  no  snake  or  stinging  bee ; 

He'd  play  with  everything  he  saw, 

A  hornet,  snake,  or  broken  straw ; 


A  DELIA    WITH  THE  LAWYER'S  INFANT.      25 

For  deadly  nightshade  or  wild-rose 

He'd  creep  through  thorns  and  tear  his  clothes. 

The  basket  filled  with  berries  blue, 
Again  the  woods  they  journeyed  through, 
To  reach  the  cabin  damp  and  low, 
That  nursery  of  human  woe, 
Where  painful  dregs  instead  of  flowers 
Came  ere  the  boy's  first  natal  hours. 
Round  there  she'd  waded  through  the  snow ; 
Had  taught  the  valley  school  below; 
Had  been  in  driving  storms  to  save 
The  lawyer  from  a  drunkard's  grave. 
Sad  fortunes  there  had  been  her  lot, 
Upon  this  lone,  retired  spot. 


ADELIA  ALONE  WITH  THE  LAWYER'S 
INFANT. 

THE  second  night  of  her  babe's  life, 
Deserted  was  the  lawyer's  wife ; 
She  heard  her  infant's  mournful  cries, 
And  by  them  was  impelled  to  rise 
Alone  to  soothe,  to  feed,  and  save 
Her  infant  from  an  early  grave. 
Her  quivering  flesh  with  cold  and  pain 
Was  pierced  in  every  nerve  and  vein. 

The  lawyer  in  a  distant  room 
Laid  calmly  in  a  drunken  swoon, 
As  stupid  as  a  badger*  slept, 
Unmindful  how  his  family  wept. 

*  The  "dignity  of  animals,"  says  Franklin,  "is  in  proportion 
for  the  care  for  their  young.     Those  in  whom  this  sentiment 


26  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

Of  them  he  knew  as  little  then 

As  wild  goose  or  prairie-hen, 

Or  pelican  that's  apt  to  stray 

In  the  vast  wilderness  away, 

Or  owl  upon  a  desert  tree 

Hooting  its  midnight  "  whit-tu-whee." 


MISS  ALICE  COMES. 

night  Miss  Alice  came  with  balm, 
And  rubbed  the  sick  with  her  warm  palm. 
Beside  the  bed  like  angel  stood, 
She  was  a  lady  kind  and  good ; 
She  spoke  sweet  soothing'  words  of  cheer, 
As  the  afflicted  love  to  hear. 
She  tried  to  smooth  the  cruel  case 
With  loving  words  of  peace  and  grace. 
"  'Tis  now  or  never,"  she  would  say, 
"This  night  your  illness  must  allay. 
Sleep  if  you  can,  I  seldom  tire ; 
I'll  tend  your  babe  and  stir  the  fire. 
While  health  is  flowing  in  my  veins 
'Tis  pleasure  to  ease  others'  pains. 
I'd  rather  be  within  these  walls 
Than  in  the  grandest  festal  halls. 
I'll  rub  you  long  as  you  can  bear ; 
You  must  get  well,  your  babe  needs  care. 

is  the  highest  are  the  first  in  the  series  of  living  beings. 
Those  in  whom  it  is  low  come  in  the  second  order,  and  are  the 
last  of  all  in  intelligence  ;"  for  example,  intoxicated  parents  ; 
such  as  are  insensible  of  their  offspring,  as  snakes  and  croco 
diles. 


THE  LAWYER    COMES.  27 

It  is  my  plan,"  she  mildly  said, 
"  To  stand  all  night  beside  your  bed. 
Just  sleep,  and  do  not  care  for  me, 
Try  to  forget  your  agony. 
Of  my  welfare  you  need  not  ask, 
To  rub  you  is  no  irksome  task ; 
Sleep  calmly  as  your  infant  boy, 
And  let  no  troubled  dreams  annoy ; 
Your  husband  yet  may  treat  you  right, 
After  the  darkness  comes  daylight. 
While  life  remains  there  still  is  hope 
That  erring  ones  will  cease  to  tope." 

"Alice,  an  angel  hovers  nigh, 

But  hope  and  sleep  on  pinions  fly. 

This  very  night  you  seem  to  be 

A  guardian  angel  sent  to  me ; 

With  soft,  warm  hands  and  graceful  ease, 

You  try  and  try  to  cure  disease. 

And  such  as  you  deserve  a  name 

Upon  the  brightest  scrolls  of  fame. 

But,  Jurist.     Oh,  alas !  alas ! 

He's  wedded  to  his  drin king-glass. 

He  cares  not  for  his  family, 

His  mind  is  fixed  on  revelry." 


THE  LAWYER  COMES. 

SUMMER  and  autumn  passed  along, 
The  winter  nights  came  cold  and  long. 
Time  seldom  heals  a  heart  made  sore, 
When  sorrow  probes  it  to  the  core, 


28  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

Her  babe  required  care  and  skill, 
As  other  infants  always  will. 

His  mother  watched  him  day  and  night, 

His  father  seldom  met  his  sight. 

Months  passed,  its  teething  brought  on  ills, 

Sharp  pains,  hot  fevers,  and  sad  chills. 

She  toiled  and  fondly  did  her  best 

To  give  it  nourishment  and  rest. 

Its  clothes  were  patched,  and  they  were  few, 

Each  day  she  washed  to  make  them  do. 

On  Sunday  laundry  business  came, 

Just  as  on  other  days  the  same. 

She  was  compelled  to  wash  and  dry, 

And  thus  her  infant's  needs  supply. 

'Twas  night,  with  dark  clouds  overcast. 
Terrific  was  the  winter  blast. 
The  lawyer's  wife  was  weak  with  pain, 
Upon  a  rack  he  kept  her  brain, 
Then  purchased  iron  to  restore 
Her  health  by  means  of  liquid  ore, 
To  give  her  strength  to  bear  the  smart 
Which  he  inflicted  on  her  heart. 

She  just  had  lulled  her  child  to  rest, 
And  it  lay  sleeping  on  her  breast; 
They  were  upon  the  only  bed, 
Under  the  moss-roof  overhead. 
Jurist  looked  fine  as  monarch  high, 
Who  might  own  kingdoms  far  and  nigh. 
He  came  in  boisterous  from  the  street, 
Rabid  with  whiskey's  boiling  heat ; 
The  large  round  oaths  were  on  his  tongue, 
The  broken  chairs  around  were  flung ; 


THE  LAWYER    COMES.  29 

The  burning  lamp  dropped  on  the  floor 
The  batter  smeared  the  wall  and  door ; 
The  dining-table  lost  a  leaf, 
Chaos  reigned  in  that  house  of  grief. 

The  babe  was  startled  in  affright, 

It  screamed  and  held  its  mother  tight, 

And  then  into  convulsions  went. 

Jurist  knew  not  of  this  event : 

His  war-dance  echoed  through  the  room, 

Until  he  sank  in  drunken  swoon. 

Adelia  bathed  her  child  and  prayed 

It  might  survive  the  midnight  raid. 

She  wrapped  her  garments  round  its  form, 

And  rubbed  it  till  its  limbs  were  warm. 

All  night  upon  a  broken  chair 

She  sat,  and  with  maternal  care 

She  held  the  infant  in  her  arms, 

And  they  both  trembled  with  alarms. 

It  was  a  long  and  dreary  night, 

The  lawyer's  senses  were  locked  tight. 

Poor  flexile  creature,  deaf  and  dumb, 

While  others  suffered  from  his  rum, 

He  occupied  the  only  bed. 

His  alcoholic  fumes  were  spread ; 

His  limbs  were  flimsy  as  old  cloth, 

And  from  his  mouth  came  lager  froth. 

Adelia,  suffering,  sick,  and  faint, 

With  no  one  near  to  make  complaint, 

While  vinous  fermentation  spread 

Its  noxious  gases  from  the  bed. 

A  beer  vat  of  carbonic  gas 

Her  husband  was,  alas !  alas ! 

And  chemists  say,  Beware  !  beware! 

For  poison  is  the  beer- vat's  air  • 


30  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

Inhale  its  acid  with  your  breath 

Never,  for  it  is  fraught  with  death. 

'Tis  hard  when  mothers  must  inspire 

Such  poison  by  a  household  fire, 

Where  love  and  truth  and  peace  should  blend, 

To  make  home  happy  for  each  friend. 

A  las !  such  nights  of  agony 

Are  caused  by  each  distillery : 

Where  happy  homes  should  thrive  and  stand, 

Rum  desecrates  and  blights  the  land. 


THE  LAWYER  CONTINUES  TO  IMBIBE. 

THE  lawyer  drank  the  flowing  bowl 
To  harden  feelings  of  his  soul : 
His  wife  and  child  were  on  the  town. 
The  boy,  wrapped  in  her  Sunday  gown, 
She  called  her  little  snow-bird  brown. 
To  the  almshouse  they  might  have  gone, 
But  the  poor  master's  wife  came  on, 
And  carried  loads  of  milk  and  food 
Where  the  old  mountain  cabin  stood. 
Each  week  she  brought  a  good  supply, 
And  told  the  boy,  "  You  must  not  die, 
But  you  must  eat  and  grow  and  thrive, 
And  for  good  habits  always  strive. 
You'll  be  a  man  some  future  day, 
For  you  were  born  in  merry  May. 
Beneath  the  genial  friendly  rays 
Of  Hope's  bright  star  that  shone  those  days, 
And  filled  your  mother's  soul  with  light, 
And  pictured  wrongs  all  coming  right, 


THE  LAWYERS  FATHER  LAMENTS.         31 

She  thought  your  sire  about  to  be 
A  man  of  strict  integrity. 
Your  mother  loves  you,  so  do  I, 
I'll  help  her  sing  your  lullaby. 
There's  kindness  in  this  cold  world  yet, 
The  star  of  mercy  has  not  set." 

No  father  came  to  keep  him  safe. 

Poor,  sickly,  helpless,  squalling  waif. 

Little  epitome  of  man, 

In  dreary  times  its  life  began. 

Through  measles  and  the  whooping-cough, 

Through  lung-disease,  that  plagued  it  oft, 

Through  scarlet  fever,  croup,  and  chills, 

Its  mother  tended  all  its  ills, 

And  nursed  him  with  a  tender  care, 

Until  the  boy  grew  strong  and  fair,— 

A  pensive-looking,  busy  youth, 

Awake  to  scenes  of  right  and  truth. 


THE  LAWYEK'S  FATHER  LAMENTS. 

IN  the  mean  time  the  lawyer  drank, 
Broke  a  large  window  in  the  bank, 
Cut  his  strong  wrist  almost  in  twain, 
Severed  his  golden  watch  and  chain. 
Policemen  carried  him  to  jail, 
His  father  would  not  pay  the  bail. 
He  said  that  Binghamton  might  keep 
In  her  lock-up  the  wayward  sheep ; 
He  would  leave  racks  of  well-filled  hay, 
In  dungeon  walls  for  once  might  stay; 


32  THE  MAPLE  DELL    OF  '76. 

He  would  leave  pastures  fresh  and  green, 

He  had  good  sense  but  would  act  mean. 

"  I  did  not  bring  him  up  just  right, 

But  selling  whiskey  is  polite 

As  any  other  honest  trade 

By  which  a  livelihood  is  made. 

I  did  not  learn  him  to  transgress, 

And  curse  the  ones  he  ought  to  bless. 

He  was  a  bright  and  comely  lad, 

Liquor  medicinal  he  had. 

Money  on  him  I  freely  spent, 

And  now  he'd  take  my  every  cent. 

His  calls  for  money  never  cease, 

He  never  gives  me  any  peace. 

For  me  he  has  no  filial  thought, 

His  love,  like  whiskey,  must  be  bought. 

He  is  no  staff  for  my  old  age, 

His  conduct  puts  me  in  a  rage. 

My  sands  of  life  are  almost  run, 

I  see  no  comfort  with  my  son. 

Beneath  my  own  fig-tree  and  vine 

In  peace  I  never  can  recline. 

He  fills  my  heart  with  keenest  pain, 

In  Biughamtou  he  may  remain. 

Alas  !  when  parents  fail  to  see 

Comfort  with  their  own  progeny." 

Adelia  wandered  with  her  child 
Upon  the  mountain  bleak  and  wild ; 
For  Jurist  she  had  plead  and  plead 
To  have  a  musket  spare  his  head. 
Since  then  he'd  fixed  a  gulf  between 
Herself  and  his  imprisoned  scene. 
She  needed  fuel,  food,  and  sleep, 
Her  path  was  intricate  and  stecj). 


THE  COURT  OF  LOVE.  33 

Her  babe  demanded  all  her  care, 
Lest  like  its  infant  sister  fair 
It  too  should  suffer,  pine,  and  die, 
And  neath  the  weeping  willow  lie. 


THE  COURT  OF  LOVE. 

SOCIETY  of  beau  monde  kind 
He  was  her  ornament.     She  pined  : 
Some  one  unbarred  the  prison-door. 
The  lawyer  was  a  man  of  lore ; 
A  smaller  city  miles  away 
Needed  his  practice  every  day. 
Bring  forth  an  easy  counsel  chair, 
The  royal  purple  robes  prepare, 
Make  ready  a  sumptuous  feast,  ' 
Invite  the  greatest,  not  the  least. 
His  wife  and  child  must  not  be  seen 
Among  the  ribbons  blue  and  green ; 
He  made  them  paupers  too  much  bowed 
To  jostle  there  among  the  crowd. 
Leave  them  in  any  cabin  low, 
For  he  is  called  a  "  splendid  beau," 
Where  fairies  caper  left  and  right, 
Like  moths  around  a  candle-light. 

Society  throw  wide  your  door, 
Let  gas-lights  now  on  beauty  pour, 
On  satin,  silk,  and  cloth  of  gold. 
Festals  for  Jurist  gayly  hold ; 
Bring  forth  your  wine  and  brisk  champagne 
To  fill  your  finest  porcelain ; 
3 


34  THE  MAPLE  DELL    OF  '76. 

Let  all  your  gold  and  silverware 
Be  filled  with  viands  rich  and  rare ; 
Bring  in  the  fairest  of  the  fair 
The  festals  scenes  to  gayly  share ; 
Bring  Vesta  in  her  best  attire, 
With  vestals  six,  and  sacred  fire ; 
Bring  Themis  with  her  laws  profound, 
And  laurels  fresh  to  have  him  crowned ; 
Bring  in  Diana  with  her  hounds 
To  keep  his  paupers  off  the  grounds. 
His  creditors  are  poorly  dressed, 
Their  fare  is  coarse,  he  took  their  best. 
In  mountain  cabins  let  them  stay, 
On  beds  of  straw  or  bunks  of  hay. 
He  cares  not  where  they  live  or  die, 
For  him  the  flowing  bowl  fill  high. 

Bring  in  Delilah,  gay  and  fair, 
With  scissors  to  cut  off  his  hair ; 
With  diamonds  on  her  soft  white  hand, 
By  her  the  lawyer  would  be  fanned. 
His  wounded  arm  was  in  a  sling, 
A  palm-leaf  could  not  graceful  swing ; 
He  pounded  crystal  with  his  fist, 
And  the  bank-window  cut  his  wrist. 
He  was  so  far  gone  o'er  the  bay* 
He  thought  his  rival  he  would  slay. 
He  made  a  very  sad  mistake : 
A  savings-bank  would  never  take 
Delilah  from  the  Maple  Dell. 
But  on  the  bank  his  vengeance  fell. 
It  was  a  pugilistic  feat, 
He  suffered  in  the  battle's  heat. 

*  Whiskey  Bay. 


COURTING  IJH    THE  MAPLE  DELL.  35 

Implore  the  gods  to  kindly  spare 
For  him  their  best  ambrosial  fare, 
While  Cupid  plays  upon  his  lyre, 
And  Delilah's  eyes  inspire 
Arch  Cupid  with  a  loving  theme, 
The  honeymoon's  alluring  gleam. 


COURTING  IN  THE  MAPLE  DELL. 

A  GAY  new  love  he'd  sought  and  found, 
For  her  he  showed  respect  profound. 
He  led  her  to  a  nice  alcove 
Within  a  pretty  maple  grove. 
Her  jewelled  hand  within  his  own 
He  placed,  and  spoke  in  silvery  tone, 
"  From  hat  and  bonnet  we'll  be  free, 
They're  safe  up  in  the  maple-tree. 
Delilah,  you're  a  sorceress, 
Your  fascinating  smiles  confess. 
Why  have  you  led  me  to  this  bower  ? 
I  am  a  captive  in  your  power. 
Most  beautiful  you  skate  and  swim, 
There's  agile  grace  in  every  limb ; 
You're  like  the  fleetest  horse  or  hound, 
Winning  all  admiration  'round. 
So  gayly  you  dance  o'er  the  earth 
You  must  be  of  Titanic  birth  ; 
Themis  and  you  must  surely  be 
Of  the  same  consanguinity." 

"  Lieutenant  Jurist,  can  it  be 
That  you  descend  to  flattery, 


36  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

And  come  down  from  your  native  sky 
To  raise  my  expectations  high  ? 
There's  melody  in  all  your  speech, 
A  loving  lesson  to  me  teach ; 
In  all  the  works  of  ancient  lore 
Who  was  the  bravest  troubadour  ?" 

"  You  look  like  Venus  on  her  throne, 

For  you  fair  roses  are  half  blown. 

Here  is  the  choicest  sweet  bouquet 

My  taste  and  fingers  could  array. 

I  searched  the  green-house  through  and  through 

For  this  emblem  of  love  for  you. 

Here's  pink  for  all  the  heart  can  keep 

Of  love  in  its  pure  fountain  deep ; 

Here's  myrtle  and  its  sprigs  of  green 

To  crown  you  for  a  loving  queen ; 

Here's  damask  and  the  sweet  red  rose, 

Each  your  superior  merit  shows ; 

Here's  snow-ball,  see  its  clusters  fair, 

With  these,  your  virtues  well  compare; 

And  here's  the  little  violet  blue, 

Modest  and  faithful,  just  like  you. 

The  rose  geranium  and  foxglove 

Show  my  ambition  for  your  love. 

In  all  the  works  of  modern  lore, 

You  have  the  bravest  troubadour." 

"  Jurist,  your  teaching  I  respect ; 
Indeed,  your  school  is  most  select, 
To  bring  so  many  balmy  flowers, 
To  classify  in  evening  hours. 
I  thank  you  for  this  floral  boon, — 
Come,  sing  to  me  your  favorite  tune." 


COURTING   IN   THE  MAPLE  DELL.  37 

"  Delilah,  here's  the  time  and  place 

To  hold  a  council  o'er  our  case ; 

The  full- orbed  moon  shines  nice  and  bright, 

Pours  on  the  world  its  silver  light ; 

The  fountains  fling  their  shining  spray, 

The  nightingale  pours  forth  its  lay  ; 

The  golden  fruit  hangs  on  the  trees, 

Refreshing  is  the  balmy  breeze ; 

The  vines  are  waving  in  the  air, 

Among  ten  thousand  you're  most  fair. 

My  name  to  yours  will  you  affix  ? 

You  are  the  belle  of  76." 

"  Thank  you,  dear  Jurist,  you  are  kind, 
For  me  the  choicest  gifts  you  find 
That  gold  or  silver  can  procure, 
And  such  a  friend  is  good,  I'm  sure. 
Dear  Jurist,  will  you  soon  be  free 
From  your  law-partner  Adelia  ? 
I  fear  that  round  you  she  will  twine, 
Close  as  a  parasitic  vine 
That  clings  around  a  noble  tree, 
And  shrouds  it  in  pale  drapery. 
Is  there  a  chance  that  she'll  annoy 
Our  tranquil  hopes  of  perfect  joy  ? 
No  doubt  ten  thousand  gifts  and  one 
She'll  ask  you  for  herself  and  son. 
You  are  too  good  for  her  by  far, 
You  are  a  brilliant  legal  star." 

"  Delilah,  let  no  fears  arise 
To  dim  the  lustre  of  your  eyes ; 
Your  red-silk  flag  hangs  on  my  lance, 
JTis  yours  no  other  charms  enhance. 


38  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

With  flowers  I'll  deck  your  glossy  hair ; 
This  ring  is  for  your  finger  fair ; 
Upon  your  snowy  neck  I'll  place 
The  diamonds  and  rich  Brussels  lace ; 
I'll  clasp  a  bracelet  on  your  wrist ; 
Your  charms  I  never  can  resist : 
They  captivate  my  heart  and  brain, 
And  fill  me  with  ecstatic  pain. 
The  moonlight  shines  on  you  and  me, 
Delilah,  I  will  soon  be  free." 

"Jurist,  your  accents  always  please, 
Your  manners  are  of  graceful  ease ; 
The  best  of  girls  proclaim  your  praise, 
And  talk  about  your  genial  ways ; 
At  least  there  are  a  dozen  score 
Who  want  you  for  their  troubadour. 
Now  promise  'neath  the  maple-leaves 
To  never  get  in  love  with  these." 

"  Delilah,  your  fine  liquid  eyes 
Will  always  charin  the  great  and  wise ; 
Yours  are  the  handsome  bust  and  neck 
That  gifted  artists  love  to  deck ; 
Your  dazzling  arms  are  round  and  fair, 
With  them  your  little  hands  compare. 
All  graces  of  the  female  kind 
In  you  are  happily  combined  ; 
Your  wreath  hangs  on  the  orange-tree, 
Delilah,  I  will  soon  be  free." 

"  Dear  Jurist,  you  should  get  divorce, 
Adelia  took  a  wayward  course. 
With  her  no  lawyer  could  reside, 
She'd  drive  him  to  a  suicide. 


COURTING  IN   THE  MAPLE  DELL.  39 

His  gifted  mind  of  polished  lore 
She'd  think  was  rusty  iron  ore ; 
His  choicest  gifts  could  not  inspire 
To  charm  her  with  a  golden  lyre ; 
His  worth  she'd  always  underrate ; 
Her  mind  moves  in  a  narrow  strait, 
Where  stupid  mortals  never  feel 
An  enterprising  high-bred  zeal. 
To  your  perfections  she  was  blind, 
How  could  you  live  with  such  a  mind, 
While  nightingales  and  thrushes  swell 
Their  love-notes  in  the  Maple  Dell  ?" 

"  Delilah,  here's  your  marriage-ring ; 
Love-notes  to  you  I'll  always  sing, 
As  sweetly  as  the  dying  swan 
Vespers  at  eve  and  early  dawn. 
Faithful  as  ringdove  to  its  mate 
Upon  you  I  will  ever  wait ; 
At  parties,  operas,  and  balls, 
At  popular  reception  calls, 
You'll  always  find  me  at  your  side, 
And  you  will  be  an  honored  bride ; 
Lawyers  and  orators  will  be 
Fond  of  your  charming  company." 

"  How  soon  can  you  procure  divorce  ? 
Adelia  will  oppose,  of  course ; 
No  doubt  she  knows  enough  for  that, 
And  has  an  organ  for  combat. 
Had  she  the  gift  of  common  sense 
She'd  never  ask  you  for  one  pence ; 
She  let  her  soul  for  once  expand 
And  grant  divorce  with  willing  hand, 


40  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

And  never  think  or  try  to  claim 
An  interest  in  your  heart  or  name. 
A  wife  like  her  should  never  yearn 
To  have  a  soul  like  yours  return ; 
So  great  is  the  disparity, 
Reunion  could  not  happy  be ; 
You  are  so  noble  and  refined, 
While  degradation  chains  her  mind. 
My  name  to  yours  I  will  prefix, 
Bright  legal  star  of  76." 

"  Delilah,  with  you  I  agree, 
You  are  my  true  affinity. 
Affectionate,  sweet  little  miss, 
Come  to  my  arms  and  get  a  kiss ; 
My  heart  is  happy  when  it  sips 
The  nectar  from  your  ruby  lips. 
You  have  good  sense  to  estimate. 
I'll  sing  to  you,  my  precious  mate, 
A  lawyer's  most  pathetic  tune, — 
Of  true  love  and  the  honeymoon." 


THE  LAWYER'S  VESPEREE  IN  THE 
MAPLE  DELL. 

"  LOVE  for  the  time  is  coming, 
Love  through  the  evening  hours, 
Love  while  the  dew  is  sparkling 
Upon  the  smiling  flowers. 
Love  makes  the  soul  grow  brighter ; 
Love  is  the  social  sun, 
That  shines  on  true  affection, 
And  seals  two  hearts  in  one. 


DELILAH'S    VESPEREE.  41 

"  Love  for  the  time  is  coming, 
And  it  will  be  here  soon ; 
When  wedded  we'll  be  loving 
Beneath  the  honeymoon. 
Give  every  heart  pulsation, 
Some  love  to  keep  in  store, 
For  happy  days  are  coming, 
Fair  lady  I  adore. 

"  Love  for  the  time  is  coming ; 
No  clients  here  for  spies ; 
Life's  lamp  is  brightly  burning, 
My  heart  is  tender  sighs ; 
Love  till  the  last  beam  fadeth 
Upon  the  moonlit  shore ; 
Happy  will  be  our  nuptials, 
Fair  lady  I  adore." 


DELILAH'S  VESPEREE  IN  THE  MAPLE 
DELL. 

"  JUEIST,  true  love  will  prevail : 
I'm  ready  for  my  bridal  veil, 
And  the  diamonds  for  my  hair, 
Of  first  water,  sparkling,  fair ; 
Forty  yards  of  satin  white 
Will  make  a  trailing  dress  all  right. 
Amply  for  me  you'll  provide, 
I'm  so  happy  at  your  side ; 
Ready  for  my  bridal  wreath, 
And  all  treasures  you'll  bequeath. 


42  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76- 

Yes,  I  love  you,  Jurist  dear, 
Brightest  seraph  on  this  sphere ; 
Such  graceful  ways  and  brilliant  mind ! 
You  are  the  noblest  of  mankind. 
I  love  you  more  than  tongue  can  tell, 
When  moonlight  fills  the  Maple  Dell." 

"  Here's  money :  buy  a  bridal  veil ; 
Here's  money  for  a  satin  trail ; 
Here's  money :  get  the  diamonds  fair, 
To  lay  amid  your  silken  hair." 
She  blushed  and  smiled,  vermilion  hue, 
Informed  him  she  was  gay  and  true. 
"  Alone  with  you  I'm  always  blest," 
He  said ;  "  but  we  must  join  the  rest 
Around  the  social  festal  board, — 
Our  absence  they  cannot  afford. 
The  honorables  are  out  to-night, 
And  make  a  grand,  imposing  sight. 
The  rich,  the  witty,  great,  and  wise, 
All  covet  thee,  my  darling  prize. 
They  loiter  near  thee,  and  would  stay ; 
They  sigh,  I  bear  the  palm  away. 
They're  jealous  o'er  my  lady's  charms ; 
I'll  have  to  lock  you  in  my  arms. 
Come  with  me  to  the  festal  hall, 
And  leave  me  not,  I'm  strong  and  tall. 
One  lover  is  enough  to  clasp ; 
A  queen*  had  more  than  sought  an  asp. 
You  must  be  of  Cornelia's  mien, 
And  not  like  Egypt's  graceful  queen. 
Our  nuptial  day  we  soon  will  fix, 
You  are  the  belle  of  76." 

*  Cleopatra. 


DELILAH'S    VESPEREE.  43 

"  Jurist,  you  need  not  moralize, — 
Your  charms  content  my  heart  and  eyes. 
My  name  to  yours  haste  and  prefix, 
Bright  legal  star  of  76." 

"After  the  viands  and  the  play, 
I'll  stay  with  you  till  dawn  of  day, 
And  court  by  jurisdiction  laws. 
My  wife  left  me  without  a  cause ; 
Nothing  against  me  can  she  lay. 
She  took  my  boy  and  fled  away, — 
The  law  will  not  impede  my  course. 
She  went  to  grass.     I'll  have  divorce. 
Her  black  snake  eyes  no  more  can  charm ; 
She'll  never  do  you  any  harm ; 
She'll  burn  no  phosphor  in  your  face ; 
Your  beauty  she  will  not  deface. 
You  wear  a  sweet,  angelic  smile, 
That  soothes  my  spirit  all  the  while ; 
Your  wreath  hangs  on  the  orange-tree  j 
Delilah,  I  will  soon  be  free." 

The  party  was  a  grand  success, 
Delilah  smiles  and  loveliness, — 
Fine  lady  with  her  charming  beau,- 
He's  grand  as  prince  of  seraglio  ; 
He  need  not  wave  a  magic  wand : 
He's  centre  of  a  mirthful  band. 
They  gaze  upon  the  legal  star, 
And  on  Delilah's  fine  guitar ; 
The  bon  ton  guests  delighted  hark, 
While  he  sings,  gay  as  meadow-lark, 
Solo,  duet,  and  merry  glees. 
They  gather  round  him  thick  as  bees 


44  THE   MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

That  swarm  upon  the  clover-tops 

To  get  transparent  honey-drops. 

His  raiment  is  from  la  belle  France, 

His  armor  is  a  burnished  lance ; 

It  is  a  keen  Damascus  blade, 

To  keep  his  family  in  the  shade 

Of  the  lone  mountain  woods  from  sight, 

Far  from  gay  festal  scenes  of  light. 

While  crane  de  la  creme  laugh 

Over  the  alcohol  they  quaff, 

Around  the  merry  festal  board, 

Where  wine  for  every  guest  is  poured. 


THE  FREEMASON  LODGE. 

WHAT  if  fine  Jurist  did  explore 
The  temples  of  Masonic  lore, 
Not  by  their  precepts  or  their  square 
Did  his  proceedings  measure  fair. 
The  Warren  Lodge  of  F.  A.  M. 
Suspended  him  for  owing  them. 
Delilah  needed  all  his  dues 
For  bridal  veil  and  white  kid  shoes. 
While  he  moved  graceful  in 
Where  they  admit  no  renegades 
To  fascinate  young  eyes  and  ears 
Beneath  the  brilliant  chandeliers, 
Where  only  gifted  ones  can  be, 
Amid  beau  monde  society, 
You  scarce  could  find  a  sprucer  beau 
From  pine-clad  Maine  to  Mexico. 


THE  LAWYER'S  MATINEE.  45 

King  Metse*  has  three  hundred  wives, 
The  lawyer  too  would  pluralize. 
Goes  with  Delilah  from  the  feast, 
And  courts  till  dawn  comes  in  the  east ; 
About  to  leave  her  for  one  day, 
He  sings  this  loving  roundelay. 


THE  LAWYER'S  MATINEE  IN  THE 
MAPLE  DELL. 

"  DELILAH,  'tis  near  break  of  day, 
From  you  I  must  haste  away ; 
While  the  world  around  is  dark, 
I  must  go  before  the  lark 
Sings  his  matin  to  his  mate ; 
In  the  court-room  clients  wait. 
You  will  be  my  bonny  bride, 
Then  our  time  we  need  not  bide. 
Meet  me  in  the  Maple  Dell. 
Delilah,  darliug,  fare  thee  well. 

"  Haste,  oh,  haste,  the  close  of  day  ! 
Meet  me,  love,  in  white  array. 
To  the  woodland's  safe  retreat 
Hasten  with  your  little  feet ; 
Where  the  floods  of  moonlight  pour 
I  will  teach  you  love's  best  lore. 
Delilah,  I  will  surely  be 
With  the  nightingales  and  thee. 
Meet  me  in  the  Maple  Dell. 
Delilah,  darling,  fare  thee  well." 

*  An  African  monarch. 


46  THE  MAPLE  DELL    OF  '76. 

DELILAH'S  MATINEE    IX    THE    MAPLE 
DELL. 

"  JURIST,  I  will  surely  come  ; 
Haste  this  day  its  course  to  run. 
Jurist,  I  would  go  through  fire 
Serenaded  by  your  lyre. 
Pleasures  of  fond  memory  dwell 
Where  moonlight  fills  the  Maple  Dell. 
3Tis  here  the  nightingales  repose, 
And  honey-dew  sip  from  the  rose. 
Jurist,  will  you  soon  be  free 
To  enjoy  sweet  liberty  ? 
Then  we  need  not  say  farewell 
Ere  morning  lights  the  Maple  Dell. 

"  Jurist,  'neath  the  maple-tree 
At  gray  dawn  I'll  surely  be, 
In  the  purest  snowy  white, 
To  meet  favor  in  your  sight. 
Swiftly  may  this  day  decline ; 
I  am  yours  and  you  are  mine. 
As  the  bridegroom  meets  his  bride 
Will  you  hasten  to  my  side  ? 
Absent  for  one  day  apart, 
Keep  my  memory  in  your  heart, 
Till  the  music  of  the  spheres 
In  the  woodland  charms  our  ears. 
Jurist,  darling,  fare  thee  well, 
Meet  me  in  the  Maple  Dell." 

'Tis  morn,  the  lawyer  cannot  stay, 
His  clients  need  him  through  the  day. 
On  mountain-tops  come  streaks  of  light, 
The  last  pale  star  fades  out  of  sight ; 


ADELIA    WRITES   TO  HER  HUSBAND.        47 

The  birds  begin  to  serenade, 
The  lovers  leave  the  maple  shade, 
With  faithful  promises  to  meet 
At  eve  within  that  loved  retreat, 
Where  Cupid  makes  intrepid  raids, 
When  daylight  into  darkness  fades. 


"  JURIST,  an  epidemic  drear 

Among  the  children  rages  here. 

Malignant  fever  taints  the  air, 

Death's  angel  takes  the  young  and  fair. 

There's  sorrow  on  each  mother's  brow, 

Like  Kachel,*  they  are  weeping  now. 

The  hearse  stands  near  each  mountain  door, 

The  bell  tolls  daily.     I  implore 

You  to  return  my  money  quick. 

I'm  near  the  dying  and  the  sick, 

For  lack  of  food  1  daily  fast ; 

My  rations  to  your  child  are  passed  ; 

He  soon  may  lie  among  the  dead. 

Return  my  funds  to  buy  us  bread. 

Fuel  and  food  are  scarce  and  dear, 

My  school  is  closed,  the  world  looks  drear." 


JURIST  WRITES  TO  HIS  WIFE. 

"  ADELIA,  tell  me  not  of  grief, 
Nothing  have  I  for  your  relief. 
I'll  not  support  you,  for  I  swear 
'T would  be  an  endless  long  aifair. 

*  Kachel  in  time  of  Herod's  massacre. 


48  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

I  have  no  interest  in  your  pen, 
To  me  you  need  not  write  again. 
Yours  no  more, 

LIEUTENANT  JURIST, 
Attorney  and  Counsellor-at-law." 


ADELIA  PRAYS. 

"  GREAT  God,  whose  eyes  run  to  and  fro 
Throughout  the  whole  of  earth  below, 
Oh,  turn  to  me  Thy  loving  face! 
Oh,  fill  my  heart  with  peace  and  grace  ! 
Oh,  never  let  me  starve  and  freeze 
In  presence  of  my  enemies ! 
Before  them  let  me  not  be  bowed. 
Oh,  lift  my  mind  above  the  cloud ! 
Give  health  ^nd  blessings  every  day; 
Oh,  help  me  tread  the  narrow  way 
That  leads  to  realms  of  endless  bliss, 
Beyond  the  futile  joys  of  this  !* 
Oil,  spare  my  child  !  and  let  him  be 
A  faithful  follower  of  Thee. 
Great  God !  protect  and  help  each  one 
Who  works  for  temperance  'neath  the  sun, 
Till  all  our  youth  can  safely  stand 
In  danger  of  no  murderous  band." 
Such  was  Adelia's  fervent  prayer 
Amid  the  pestilential  air. 

*  This  world. 


COURTING   IN  THE  MAPLE  DELL.  49 


COURTING  IN  THE  MAPLE  DELL  CON 
TINUES. 

ANOTHER  day  its  course  has  run, 

Beyond  the  western  hills  the  sun. 

Delilah  comes  ere  daylight  fades, 

Her  head  adorned  with  curls  and  braids. 

She's  dressed  in  raiment  fine  and  white 

To  meet  her  handsome  stalwart  knight. 

He  does  not  come,  her  heart-strings  quake 

Lest  he's  away  for  some  one's  sake. 

The  Maple  Dell  she  views  through  tears, 

She  wrings  her  hands  and  screams  with  fears ; 

She  cries,  till  all  the  hills  resound, 

"  Oh,  Jurist,  where  can  you  be  found  ? 

Oh,  Jurist,  hasten  to  this  place, 

And  cheer  me  with  your  smiling  face ! 

I  thought  that  you  were  true  to  me : 

Where  now  is  your  fidelity?. 

Oh,  Jurist,  come,  or  I  shall  die, 

And  'neath  the  maple  branches  lie ! 

The  mist  of  death  is  on  my  brow, 

An  iceberg  is  my  young  heart  now. 

Your  absence  kills  me,  Jurist  dear, 

Why  am  I  left  to  perish  here  ? 

Alone  I  die,  for  you  have  fled. 

Oh,  come  and  see  your  murdered  dead ! 

I'm  dying  in  the  woodland  dell ; 

Jurist,  thou  traitor,  fare  thee  well !" 

She  poured  out  plaintive  notes  of  woe 

To  call  her  fascinating  beau, 

Till  all  the  wood  such  echoes  gave, 

Each  tree  with  anguish  seemed  to  rave. 


50  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

The  wild  birds  startle  in  affright, 

For  them  she  makes  a  hideous  night : 

As  if  a  wounded  panther  growled, 

Or  deep-mouthed  watch-dog  barked  and  howled. 

Jurist  comes  running  in  the  dell, 

Calling,  "  Delilah,  all  is  well ! 

Soon  as  I  heard  you  call  to  me 

I  ran  and  left  my  company. 

I  leaped  the  ring-fence  with  one  bound, 

My  feet  chased  o'er  the  meadow  ground ; 

And  then  again  I  heard  you  cry, 

And  faster  ran, — no  thread  is  dry  ; 

Sweat  streams  from  every  nerve  and  pore. 

I've  come  to  teach  you  love's  best  lore. 

I've  acted  no  deceiver's  part, 

Look  at  my  palpitating  heart. 

Leander  swam  across  the  sea, 

I'd  swim  the  Hellespont  for  thee." 

His  voice  has  banished  all  her  gloom, 

No  more  she  sees  a  living  tomb. 

She  springs  upon  her  nimble  feet, 

With  outstretched  arms  she  runs  to  meet 

Her  cavalier,  and  asks  him  wrhy 

He  tarried  till  the  moon  rose  high, 

And  left  her  in  the  woods  alone 

To  mourn  his  absence,  weep  and  groan, 

After  he  sang  love's  matinee 

That  morning  'neath  the  maple-tree. 

And  then  into  another  swoon 

She  sank  beneath  the  silver  moon, 

Just  for  an  agonizing  test, 

To  learn  whom  Jurist  did  love  best. 


THE  LAWYER'S    VESPEREE.  51 

It  seems  a  dangerous  quick  relapse, 
Rigid  her  limbs,  she'll  die  perhaps. 
The  woods  are  far  from  an  M.D., 
He  sighs  for  Orpheus'  melody. 
Her  life  he  wishes  to  prolong, 
And  tries  the  healing  art  of  song. 


THE     LAWYER'S    VESPEREE     IN    THE 
MAPLE    DELL. 

"  DELILAH,  you're  my  precious  dear, 

I'll  kiss  away  each  crystal  tear ; 

!No  cause  for  you  to  weep  and  swoon, 

I'm  with  you  'neath  the  silver  moon, 

To  gaze  upon  a  world  of  light ; 

The  stars  above  are  shining  bright. 

Fair  Luna  pours  her  silver  rays, 

And  lustrous  Venus  is  ablaze. 

Through  waving  fields  of  corn  and  grass 

I  ran  to  meet  my  bonny  lass. 

Leander  swam  across  the  sea, 

I'd  dive  in  ocean  caves  for  thee ; 

Fond  lyre,  in  softest  accents  tell, 

My  heart  is  in  the  Maple  Dell. 

"  Oh,  die  not,  sweet  lady,  or  my  heart  will  break  \ 
Delilah  \  Delilah  I  oh,  live  for  my  sake  I 

"  Delilah,  'neath  the  silver  moon 
True  love  keeps  my  lyre  in  tune ; 
The  wakeful  nightingale  makes  love, 
The  red-breast  robin  wooes  the  dove ; 


52  THE  MAPLE  DELL    OF  '76. 

The  wanton  lapwing  shows  his"  crest 
To  win  the  partner  he  loves  best. 
True  as  the  magnet  to  the  pole, 
'Tis  you  that  draws  my  heart  and  soul ; 
You  are  the  star  on  which  I  gaze, 
And  feel  its  pure  magnetic  rays. 
These  of  my  being  form  a  part, 
And  paint  your  image  on  my  heart. 
Fond  lyre,  in  softest  accents  tell 
My  heart  is  in  the  Maple  Dell. 

"  Oh,  die  not,  sweet  lady,  or  my  heart  will  break ! 
Delilah  !  Delilah !  oh,  live  for  my  sake !" 

Song  was  the  needed  charming  pills ; 
No  worse  for  her  love  swooning  ills. 
She  jumps  up  like  a  wild  gazelle, 
And  on  a  foot-race  could  run  well. 
She's  ready  to  traverse  each  part, 
Each  recess  of  the  lawyer's  heart. 
His  every  note  has  reached  her  ears, 
And  in  his  eyes  she  saw  big  tears. 
Yet  stronger  proof  she  would  obtain 
To  link  in  love's  nocturnal  chain, 
And  questions  Jurist,  "  At  what  bar 
Did  you  perceive  a  rising  star  ? 
Oh,  tell  me  why  you  stayed  so  long ! 
The  cause  I  find  not  in  your  song." 

'I  met  Miss  Julia  on  my  way; 
She  gave  me  this  superb  bouquet : 
Camellias  of  the  richest  hues, — 
Her  gift  I  could  not  well  refuse. 
The  mystic  passion-flower  she  gave, 
Devotions  on  its  tendrils  wave ; 


THE  LAWYER'S    VESPEREE.  53 

The  heliotrope  and  tuberose 

Breathe  clouds  of  perfume, — seek  repose. 

My  dear,  fear  naught,  the  sage  is  bright, 

And  all  this  artemisia  white, 

That  came  from  Julia's  soft,  chaste  hand, 

Are  yours,  and  I'm  at  your  command. 

Cease  weeping,  my  Delilah  dear, 

And  banish  every  jealous  fear. 

Fair  Julia  has  a  banquet-hall : 

She's  one  on  whom  I  sometimes  call. 

I'm  summoned  to  her  wine-filled  board, 

While  I'm  your  own  predestined  lord. 

The  moonlight  shines  on  you  and  me, 

Delilah,  I  will  soon  be  free." 

"  Oh,  tell  me  why  you  stayed  so  long ! 

My  heart  needs  more  than  flowers  and  song." 

"I'm  looking  after  a  divorce; 
This  business  caused  delay,  of  course. 
My  counsel  called  and  made  me  talk, — 
I  trembled  lest  an  owl  or  hawk 
Should  scare  you  from  the  Maple  Dell, — 
My  case  to  him  I  had  to  tell. 
He  has  an  honored,  \vorthy  name, 
He  bears  an  honest  legal  fame. 
He  is  a  man  of  sterling  sense 
Who  does  not  waste  his  eloquence. 
From  first  to  last  he  viewed  my  case, 
Its  features,  he  could  clearly  trace ; 
He  gleans  the  facts  and  links  a  chain 
With  truth  so  firm  it  must  remain. 
He  lives  upon  the  Keystone  shore, 
He  is  well-read  in  legal  lore. 


54  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

Milford  will  spread  our  sails  all  right : 
We'll  sail  upon  smooth  waters  bright. 
The  moonlight  shines  on  you  and  me, 
Delilah,  I  will  soon  be  free." 

"  Dear  Jurist,  news  like  this  is  good, 
For  me  'tis  health  and  drink  and  food. 
Speak  on,  and  more  of  it  repeat, 
While  flowers  exhale  their  fragrance  sweet." 

"  Soon  as  the  silken  band  is  tied 

And  by  the  law  you're  made  my  bride, 

We'll  go  to  Fairmount  Park  and  see 

Our  nation  hold  its  jubilee. 

We'll  wear  nice  clothes  and  finely  fix 

To  see  the  belles  of  76. 

We'll  board  inside  the  best  hotel, 

Where  waiters  will  attend  us  well ; 

Where  clever  landlords  can  afford 

To  give  their  guests  the  best  of  board. 

And  ample  parlors,  with  gas-light, 

Clean  beds  and  bath-rooms,  warm  and  bright. 

We'll  have  the  comforts  of  home  life 

Soon  as  you  can  become  my  wife." 

"  Dear  Jurist,  you're  the  very  one 

To  plan  and  have  good  works  well  done. 

Such  blissful  tidings  make  my  heart 

Of  joy  the  very  counterpart. 

My  life  is  all  felicity, 

The  wonders  of  the  world  I'll  see." 

"  Adelia  must  be  wrapped  in  gloom, 
With  sable  hung  her  only  room. 


THE  LAWYER'S    VESPEREE.  55 

But  she's  illiterate,  and  may  be 
Content  with  low-bred  company. 
She  is  an  antiquated  dame, 
In  no  one's  heart  could  raise  a  flame ; 
She  cannot  shine  like  you,  and  fix 
To  see  the  belles  of  76. 
Your  mind  can  fully  comprehend 
All  wisdom  that  the  world  can  send 
To  Fairmount  Park  from  every  zone. 
You're  mine.     No  man  should  live  alone  ; 
Within  the  park  no  other  prize 
Like  your  dear  self  can  charm  my  eyes. 
We'll  rest  amid  the  shade  and  flowers, 
We'll  linger  in  the  classic  bowers ; 
I'll  get  a  man  to  wheel  your  chair, 
And  have  him  take  you  everywhere ; 
And  I  will  walk  close  by  your  side 
And  guard  you  well,  my  precious  bride. 
The  North  and  South,  the  East  and  West, 
Must  treat  you  as  their  honored  guest. 
Amid  the  crowd  where  people  meet, 
They  must  not  tread  upon  your  feet  ; 
They  must  not  soil  your  satin  trail, 
They  must  not  touch  your  bridal  veil. 
We'll  make  a  long  delightful  call 
Inside  each  Exhibition  hall ; 
And  then  we'll  view  the  scenes  outside  ; 
And  as  you  like  we'll  walk  or  ride, 
Where  nature,  art,  and  beauty  meet, 
To  make  the  old  grand  park  complete. 
Its  hills  and  ravines  we  will  see, 
The  ash,  oak,  elm,  and  linden-tree. 
We'll  promenade  on  George's  Hill, 
We'll  sail  upon  the  fine  Schuylkill, 


56  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

Soon  as  the  harvest  moonlight  gleams 
On  Philadelphia's  parks  and  streams. 

"  The  moon  withdraws  her  silver  light, 
The  stars  are  fading  out  of  sight ; 
Venus  has  gone  beyond  the  hills, 
The  nightingale  with  rapture  fills 
The  Maple  Dell  with  happy  song, 
And  swiftly  has  the  night  sped  on. 
There  is  no  other  grove  like  this, 
Fair  region  of  ecstatic  bliss ; 
And  yet,  we  soon  must  say  farewell, 
Ere  morning  lights  the  Maple  Dell." 

"  Dear  Jurist,  time  moves  on  too  fleet, 
Around  this  charming  rustic  seat, 
Encircled  by  the  choicest  Vines, 
Where  the  honeysuckle  twines, 
And  climbing  roses  interlace 
The  woodbines  in  this  floral  place. 
"When  stars  fade  in  yon  dome  of  blue, 
When  they  are  hiding  from  our  view, 
Will  Venus  signal  your  retreat 
After  the  Milford  judges  meet? 
Will  not  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas 
Grant  sunshine  in  the  morning  breeze  ? 
Our  love  is  noble,  pure,  and  high, 
Forever  I  would  have  you  nigh  ; 
And  yet  you  always  say  farewell 
Ere  morning  lights  the  Maple  Dell." 

"Delilah,  time  will  soon  reveal 
The  whole,  and  consummate  your  weal. 
I'll  take  you  to  your  native  hall, 
Across  the  river  I  must  call. 


THE  COURT  OF  JUSTICE.  57 

Excelsior  did  not  set  me  free, 
A  Keystone  lawyer  I  must  see ; 
A  milder  clime  than  highland  air 
Is  found  along  the  Delaware. 
And  yet  my  case  may  take  some  skill 
To  make  Adelia  sign  my  bill. 
My  counsel  says  we'll  have  defeat, 
Unless  Adelia  will  retreat. 
But  such  restrictions  I  will  place, 
That  she  will  dare  not  show  her  face. 
A  statement  she  must  never  make, 
Or  from  her  Eddie  I  shall  take. 
But  for  me  have  no  boding  fears, 
Be  happy !     She  can  shed  the  tears. 
Her  own  death-warrant  she  would  sign 
Much  sooner  than  my  boy  resign. 
My  darling,  we  will  surely  wed 
Before  the  autumn  leaves  turn  red. 
Here's  money ;  buy  nice  things,  and  fix 
To  see  the  belles  of  '76." 


THE  COURT  OF  JUSTICE. 

THE  lawyer  sues  for  a  divorce, 

To  Pennsylvania  takes  his  course ; 

To  Milford,  on  the  Delaware, 

Amid  the  mountains'  bracing  air, 

Where  city  people  yearly  go, 

"  Where  lilies  burst  and  roses  blow." 

It  is  Pike  County's  honored  seat, 

Where  noble  literati  meet; 

It's  shaded  by  the  mountain  'trees, 

And  has  their  healthful,  cooling  breeze. 


58  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

It's  gifted  with  romantic  views 
Enough  to  charm  away  the  blues ; 
It  is  a  healthy,  fine  resort 
For  troubled  minds  as  any  port. 
The  lawyer  sought  this  thriving  town 
To  help  him  reach  a  fair  renown ; 
Doubtless  it  has  a  whiskey-fount 
Between  the  river  and  the  mount. 
He  gets  a  long  subpoena  grand, 
With  names  official  ably  manned ; 
Goes  to  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas, 
And  prays  this  Court  to  give  him  ease. 

"  Wise  Court,  remove  my  galling  yoke," 
He  says  ;  "  it's  tight,  and  makes  me  choke  j 
I  have  night-sweats  and  painful  cramps, 
My  lungs  are  filled  with  choking  damps. 
Adelia  left  me  without  cause, 
Will  you  protect  me  by  your  laws  ? 
Of  her  intrigues  I  cannot  tell, 
Except  where  secrets  safely  dwell ; 
Amid  the  honeysuckle  vines, 
Where  the  woodbine  closely  twines. 
My  case  Excelsior  would  not  try, 
Except  upon  a  glacier  high. 
Give  Adelia  fits  of  mania, 
Ring  the  bells  in  Pennsylvania. 

"  Hail,  liberal-hearted  Keystone  State ! 
I'm  dying  for  a  handsome  mate, 
Excelsior,  with  her  lofty  pride, 
Will  seldom  wedded  pairs  divide. 
She  will  not  listen  to  my  woe, 
She'd  rather  soar  where  condors  go. 


JURIST   VS.  ADELIA.  59 

My  heavy  yoke  is  hard  to  bear, 
It  often  makes  me  drink  and  swear. 
Oh,  Penn,  have  mercy !  set  me  free 
From  clanking  chains  of  slavery. 
Give  Adelia  fits  of  mania, 
Ring  the  bells  of  Pennsylvania. 

"  Hail,  Pennsylvania,  land  of  joy ! 

Farewell,  first  wife  and  dark-eyed  boy  ! 

You'll  be  divorced,  poor  homely  things ! 

Go,  live  upon  grasshoppers'  wings. 

A  Rocky  Mountain  locust  stew 

Will  make  a  savory  dish  for  you  ; 

Where  these  '  prairie  eagles'*  fly, 

Go  find  a  home.     Good-by  !  good-by ! 

Go  West,  and  for  yourselves  provide, 

Delilah  is  my  joy  and  pride ; 

Before  another  year  is  born 

We'll  usher  in  my  wedding-morn. 

Hymen,  Cupid,  do  not  tarry, 

Marry !  marry !  marry  !  marry  ! 

Give  Adelia  fits  of  mania, 

Ring  the  bells  of  Pennsylvania." 


JURIST  vs.  ADELIA. 

"  ADELIA,  seal  your  lips,"  he  swore, 
"  Or  Eddie  is  your  boy  no  more ; 
Divorce  I'll  have,  or  seize  on  it 
With  a  habeas  corpus  writ. 

*  The  grasshoppers. 


60  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

You  left  me :  I  will  have  divorce ! 

The  law  will  favor,  my  just  course. 

Adelia,  on  the  burning  stake 

Lie  quiet,  and  no  statement  make. 

'Tis  yours  to  bear  the  lash  and  thong, 

My  deeds  were  right  and  yours  were  wrong  ; 

All  doctors  in  the  Empire  State 

Cannot  avert  your  dismal  fate. 

You  might  as  well  corrosive  take 

As  call  on  them  a  balm  to  make. 

Your  friend  took  this :  it  cured  her  pains, 

Why  thrust  they  morphine  in  your  veins  ? 

She  bravely  made  her  anguish  brief: 

Corrosive  sublimate  drowns  grief. 

Her  youthful  life  was  mixed  with  pain, 

Like  her  relieve  your  heart  and  brain. 

I'll  buy  your  coffin  and  your  shroud, 

And  mourners  pay  to  weep  aloud  ; 

Their  streaming  eyes  shall  moisten  well 

The  copious  leaves  of  immortelle. 

A  handsome  hearse  with  sable  plume 

Will  slowly  take  you  to  the  tomb ; 

I'll  raise  a  marble  tablet  high, 

To  win  the  gaze  of  passers-by. 

I  will  not  listen  to  your  case, 

Toward  Nebraska  turn  your  face. 

To  you  this  is  my  last  request : 

Sign  my  divorce  bill  and  go  West, 

Or  with  you  Eddie  shall  not  stay : 

You  are  unfit  to  guide  his  way. 

For  such  as  you  there  is  no  shield, 

Divorce  or  Eddie  you  shall  yield ; 

Beneath  the  yoke  your  head  must  pass, 

Go  to  the  mountain,  browse  on  grass. 


A   SUBPCENA   IN  DIVORCE. 

You  need  not  weep,  turn  pale,  and  swoon, 

You  might  as  well  implore  the  moon ; 

For  you  I  shall  provide  no  more, 

I  am  Delilah's  troubadour. 

Adelia,  poor,  demented  thing, 

The  Pennsylvania  bells  will  ring. 

Go  to  a  mad-house,  quickly  go, 

I  am  Delilah's  favorite  beau  ; 

With  her  I'll  roam  through  classic  halls 

While  you  are  in  asylum  walls. 

In  costly  raiment  she  can  fix, 

She  is  the  belle  of  76. 

"  Divorce !  divorce !"  he  loudly  cried, 
Till  mountain  echoes  all  replied  ; 
The  lofty  hills,  the  rocks,  and  plains 
Responded  to  the  lawyer's  claims. 
Along  the  vale  the  echoes  ring : 
Adelia,  poor,  demented  thing ! 
Give  Adelia  fits  of  mania, 
Ring  the  bells  of  Pennsylvania. 


A  SUBPOENA  IN  DIVORCE. 

ATTENTIVE  was  the  Court  to  hear, 
And  wrote,  Adelia  must  appear ; 
She  must  be  there  on  such  a  day, 
For  no  cause  must  she  stay  away. 
She  must  leave  all  her  work  and  come, 
And  matrimony's  items  sum, 
And  tell  about  the  maple-trees 
Before  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas. 


62  THE  MAPLE  DELL    OF  '76. 

She  said  she  could  not  pay  the  fare 

To  reach  the  sparkling  Delaware ; 

From  Jersey's  cabin  to  the  shore 

Measured  a  dozen  miles  or  more. 

And  some  leagues  of  the  distance  lay 

Straight  through  a  dismal  forest  way, 

Where  the  lone  mountain  legends  tell 

The  fierce  banditti  often  dwell. 

But  virtue  to  her  was  so  dear, 

Before  the  Court  she  would  appear  ; 

She'd  try  her  strength  of  nerve  and  bone 

To  tread  the  wilderness  alone. 

Too  long  her  cruel  truant  lord 

Had  careless  handled  gun  and  sword. 

She  would  prepare  her  evidence, 

And  promptly  make  a  just  defence. 

"  How  did  he  treat  you  ?"  said  the  Court ; 

"  Adelia,  give  a  true  report. 

By  us  you  shall  be  fairly  lawed. 

Penn's  jurors  are  not  men  of  fraud ; 

The  virtues  of  immortal  Penn 

Survive  in  Pennsylvania  men." 


ADELIA'S  STATEMENT. 

SHE  clasped  her  babe  close  to  her  breast, 

And  for  the  Court  these  deeds  confessed  : 

"  Subpoenaed  by  the  honored  Court, 

I'll  try  to  give  a  good  report. 

To  me  his  best  love-songs  were  sung, 

Where  the  cornucopia  hung 

Beneath  a  sunny  sky  of  blue, 

Where  loving  friends  were  kind  and  true. 


AD  ELI  A' S  STATEMENT.  63 

On  me  he  gazed  with  charming  eyes, 

His  lungs  breathed  deep,  persuasive  sighs. 

His  hair  was  dark  as  raven's  wing, 

My  heart  rejoiced  to  hear  him  sing. 

He  was  a  very  faithful  beau, 

He  came  through  storms  of  rain  and  snow." 

When  the  dark  tempest  loudly  blew, 

And  snow  and  hail-stones  wildly  flew ; 

When  floods  of  rain  came  pouring  down, 

And  threatened  to  destroy  the  town, 

Jurist,  undaunted,  would  appear. 

No  bursting  cloud  or  whirlwind  drear 

Could  keep  him  from  Adelia's  side 

While  suing  her  to  be  his  bride. 

He  nightly  tuned  his  loving  lyre, 

Singing  beside  her  mother's  fire. 

Melodious  were  his  courting  days, 

His  mouth  was  filled  with  notes  of  praise. 

He  married  her  and  took  her  purse, 

And  now  commands  her  to  rehearse. 

Her  money  he  has  freely  spent ; 

He  left  her  and  took  every  cent. 

He  is  a  traitor,  sworn  untrue, 

Adelia  should  for  justice  sue. 

He  tells  you  that  she  left  her  lord, 

The  causes  he  does  not  record. 

This  is  the  passport  that  he  gave : 

"  Go  to  the  mountain  or  the  grave." 

She  is  the  one  that  suffered  long, 

Jurist  inflicted  cruel  wrong. 

Not  e'en  the  courts  of  wisest  men 

Can  change  his  wrong  to  right  again. 

There  is  a  Judge  in  highest  heaven 

Knows  how  her  earthly  hopes  were  riven. 


64  THE   MAPLE  DELL    OF  '76. 

The  lawyer  made  his  sire  insane ; 
She  hopes  the  Court  is  more  humane 
Over  this  mercenary  plan 
Of  wood  nymph  and  a  married  man, 
Who  want  Adelia  to  be  mute ; 
Who  want  to  get  a  lover's  lute  ; 
Who  want  the  Court  to  say  all's  well, 
Bring  flowers  and  deck  yon  Maple  Dell. 
Please  have  him  bear  the  whole  expense 
Of  law  through  past  and  future  tense. 
She  never  broke  the  marriage  vow, 
Defend  the  family  honor  now. 
Be  brave  as  Brutus,*  do  not  spare 
One  traitor  on  the  Delaware. 
The  truant  deer  and  swift  gazelle 
Have  bounded  through  the  Maple  Dell. 

Faithful  in  courtship  years  ago, 
He  seemed  a  very  honest  beau. 
He  said  he'd  been  a  tourist  brave ; 
Had  sailed  upon  Atlantic's  wave ; 
Had  roved  the  world  when  but  a  child ; 
By  vice  had  never  been  beguiled. 
A  hero  of  exploits  was  he, 
Hair-breadth  escapes  told  fluently, 
Of  how  his  life  was  on  the  verge 
Of  death  and  he  would  safe  emerge. 
In  dangers  had  been  swift  to  save 
His  comrades  from  an  early  grave. 
When  burglars  came  at  dead  of  night, 
His  pistol  always  pointed  right. 

*  Brutus,  the  brave  and  patriotic  Roman  Consul,  who  con 
demned  two  of  his  own  sons  to  be  beheaded  in  his  presence 
for  their  evil  conduct. 


AD ELI 'A' S  STATEMENT.  65 

'Mid  fire  or  flood  or  human  foes 
He  was  the  man  whose  courage  rose. 
He'd  been  in  mines  and  dug  the  ore 
On  California's  golden  shore. 
Of  one  exploit  he  did  not  tell : 
Delilah  in  the  Maple  Dell. 

His  promises  looked  fair  and  high 

As  rainbow  colors  in  the  sky. 

He  said,  "  I  will  be  good  and  true, 

Yes,  loyal  unto  death  to  you. 

I'll  never  make  you  stay  alone 

In  this  or  any  other  zone. 

The  temperance  pledge  for  you  I'll  sign ; 

Adelia,  darling,  come  be  mine. 

If  you  refract  love's*  solar  rays, 

"Wretched  will  end  my  hopeful  days ; 

If  on  me  you  refuse  to  smile, 

I'll  die  upon  a  foreign  isle. 

Most  loyal  unto  death  to  thee, 

My  bride  will  you  consent  to  be  ?" 

She  thought  his  love  so  good  and  pure, 

'Twould  last  while  moon  and  stars  endure; 

She  did  not  think  he'd  toll  its  knell, 

And  make  her  in  a  cabin  dwell. 

Most  fervent  were  his  common  pleas 
To  warm  her  heart  and  not  to  freeze. 
He  plead,  "  Oh,  do  not  tarry  long ! 
Adelia,  listen  to  my  song : 
Haste  to  our  marriage,  haste,  oh,  haste ! 
Oh,  come,  Adelia,  loved  and  chaste ! 

*  Love  is  called  "  the  sun  of  the  social  system." 
5 


66  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

Adelia,  why  so  long  delay  ? 
No  more  defer  our  marriage  day. 
Come  to  the  altar,  peerless  bride, 
And  let  the  Gordian  knot  be  tied." 
Her  love  for  him  was  pure  and  whole, 
He  was  the  idol  of  her  soul. 
His  marriage  was  a  brief  reform, 
Then  he  resumed  his  whiskey  storm ; 
He  acted  a  deceiver's  part, 
Alas !  he  had  a  treacherous  heart. 
And  now  he  wants  her  last  farewell, 
On  parchment,  in  the  Maple  Dell. 

Had  she  said,  "  Jurist,  disappear," 
She  would  not  be  subpoenaed  here. 
Had  she  said,  "  Jurist,  straightly  speed, 
My  mother's  voice,  not  yours,  I'll  heed; 
With  you  I  shall  not  wed  and  roam," 
To-day  she'd  have  her  purse  and  home. 
And  now  he'd  let  her  starve  and  die 
In  any  hovel  'neath  the  sky  ; 
The  raffled  trash,  and  such  'as  he 
Could  get  on  trust,  her  food  would  be. 
Sometimes  it  was  a  putrid  waste, 
No  chemist  could  restore  its  taste. 
From  mouldy  wheat  she  could  not  bake 
Good  bread  or  nice  soft  ginger-cake ; 
From  a  beef's  neck  she  could  not  fry 
Or  broil  nice  steak  when  she  would  try. 
In  fruit  all  sickly  with  decay, 
Nectareous  virtues  would  not  stay. 

His  home  he  made  a  red-hot  hell, 
And  said  in  it  she  should  not  dwell. 


ADELIA'S  STATEMENT.  (57 

When  whiskey  fired  his  brain  he  swore 
He'd  take  her  life,  he  raved  and  tore. 
He  took  her  money,  sapped  her  life, 
Tries  to  make  her  a  perjured  wife. 
And  the  sworn  traitor  wishes  you 
To  think  that  he  was  good  and  true. 
While  finely  dressed  her  brave  liege  lord, 
She  looked  upon  her  scanty  board ; 
And  her  own  hunger  has  denied 
Until  she  saw  his  child  supplied, 
While  he  prays  you  his  bonds  to  ease, 
Let  not  his  family  starve  and  freeze. 
He  asks  not  are  they  sick  or  well, 
His  heart  is  in  the  Maple  Dell. 

Now  Jurist  has  the  honored  Court 

Subpoena  her  to  make  report. 

After  the  birth  of  her  first  child 

The  lawyer  drank,  his  mirth  ran  wild ; 

He  tried  to  stand  her  on  her  head, 

Just  rising  from  that  travail-bed. 

She  begged  and  prayed  him  to  desist, 

But  he  was  in  a  whiskey  mist. 

He  caused  an  injury  severe, 

That  troubled  her  year  after  year, 

Made  organs  from  their  place  depart, 

That  needed  Esculapian  art. 

Nature  and  art  could  not  restore 

The  parts  firm  as  they  were  before. 

He  laughed,  while  she  wept  painful  tears  • 

She'd  been  his  bride  less  than  two  years. 

Supports  then  she  had  to  wear, 

Gray  mingled  with  her  jet-black  hair. 

Her  competence  to  him  had  gone, 

The  lawyer  that  she  leaned  upon ; 


68  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  }jb. 

And  now  it  was  his  gracious  will 

Her  books  should  pay  the  doctor's*  bill. 

Her  bridal  gifts  to  pay  this  debt 

Upon  them  had  a  value  set ; 

The  Bible  of  her  marriage  day 

Her  mother  gave  went  in  this  way. 

The  doctor  said  at  any  time 

The  books  redeemed  he  would  resign ; 

But  Jurist  never  has  redeemed, 

Her  treasures  lightly  he  esteemed. 

For  her  first-born  could  not  provide, 

Robbed  of  her  nourishment  it  died, 

Looked  on  its  home,  and  winged  its  flight 

Straight  upward  to  the  realms  of  light. 

And  I  am  glad  she  went  to  dwell 

Above  the  leafy  Maple  Dell. 

It  seemed  the  fatal  deed  was  done. 
Adelia  was  a  helpless  one, 
She  had  almost  a  broken  spine, 
She  could  not  rise,  could  not  recline, 
Unless  some  one  was  near  to  raise 
And  help  her  by  most  gentle  ways. 
Sometimes  relenting  he  would  care, 
And  lift  her  from  the  bed  and  chair, 
Would  nobly  ask  her  to  forgive, 
And  hope  she  would  get  well  and  live ; 
And  then  soon  after  he  wrould  drink, 
And  nothing  of  her  illness  think ; 

*  Adelia  had  been  very  sick ;  Dr.  "W.  had  been  very  kind  and 
skilful,  and  he  had  been  called  in  to  attend  her  case.  Lieu 
tenant  Jurist  was  a  strong,  healthy  young  man,  he  had  caused 
her  illness  by  means  of  his  intemperate  cruelty,  and  Dr.  W. 
was  worthy  of  being  paid  for  his  medical  services. 


LIEUTENANT  JURIST.  69 

Would  go  for  poison  liquid  strong, 
And  with  "  good  fellows"  revel  long ; 
Dark  nights  would  let  her  stay  alone 
To  writhe  in  pain,  to  pray  and  groan. 
The  Elgin  people,  kind  and  good, 
Would  often  bring  her  drink  and  food. 
At  times  she  felt  such  acute  pain 
It  almost  crazed  her  aching  brain, 
And  then  the  sweat  from  every  pore 
Would  stream  and  balmy  sleep  restore. 
Long  dreary  months  thus  passed  away, 
Strong  drink  was  leading  to  this  day. 
Her  grief  she  locked  in  memory's  cell, 
Why  she  was  suffering  did  not  tell ; 
But  now  it  is  the  honored  Court 
Subpoenas  her  to  make  report. 


LIEUTENANT  JURIST. 

IN  war  times  on  Potomac's  shore 

The  lawyer  for  his  country  swore. 

She  did  like  his  gallantry 

Among  her  light  artillery. 

He  tried  to  shoot  her  pickets  down, 

And  on  him  she  began  to  frown. 

His  deeds  of  valor  in  the  fight 

Met  with  ill  favor  in  her  sight, 

From  guard-house  to  guard-house  she  sent 

Him  to  get  sober  and  repent. 

But  he  filled  high  the  flowing  bowl, 

And  whiskey  swayed  his  heart  and  soul. 

She  laid  him  on  a  filthy  bed, 

Where  he  could  hear  the  sentry's  tread. 


70  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

Upon  a  bunk  where  vermin  gnawed 
He  laid  with  fever,  was  outlawed, 
Was  helpless  as  a  muffled  drum, 
To  court  or  battle  could  not  come. 
A  musket  pointed  toward  his  cell 
Prepared  to  toll  his  final  knell, 
Adelia  with  kind  Lincoln  plead, 
;Twas  he  that  saved  the  lawyer's  head. 
And  she  lost  fifteen  pounds  in  weight 
While  grieving  o'er  her  fine  ingrate. 

Her  health  failed,  and  to  Jersey's  shore 
Again  she  went  to  seek  for  more, 
To  labor  near  the  salt  sea's  foam, 
Weary  and  faint,  without  a  home. 
She  looked  as  fragile  and  aghast 
As  if  within  consumption's  grasp. 
Again  she  taught  a  public  school, 
And  Jurist  said  she  was  "  a  fool." 
She  hoped  and  failed  to  comprehend, 
And  gave  the  money  to  her  friend, 
To  educate  him  to  do  well ; 
She  knew  not  of  the  Maple  Dell. 

Keen  anguish  tortured  every  nerve, 
But  hope  prevailed,  she  did  not  swerve. 
Her  heart  said  you  must  try  and  try 
To  save  him  if  he  makes  you  die. 
With  wounded  chest*  and  fresh  heart-sore 
She  labored,  while  he  drank  and  swore. 
So  rigid  was  his  whiskey  rule, 
To  earn  his  bread  she'd  taught  a  school ; 

*  Jurist  in  his  frenzy  broke  a  coffee-cup  upon  Adelia 's  person. 


LIEUTENANT  JURIST. 

She  went  upon  the  temperance  stage, — 

'Twas  he  that  made  her  thus  engage. 

He  said  his  modesty  was  dashed  ; 

But  always  when  her  bills  were  cashed 

He  slyly  took  the  lion's  share. 

His  old  clothes  she  wt>uld  sometimes  wear, 

And  cut  them  into  woman's  form  ; 

And  then  would  go  through  cold  and  storm 

To  get  the  money  for  his  food. 

She  begged  him  to  form  habits  good, 

That  he  might  work  and  help  provide 

A  home  in  which  they  might  reside. 

She  wished  to  stay  in  cottage  walls, — 

He  sent  her  into  public  halls. 

She  thought  it  was  unfair  and  hard 

From  comforts  sweet  to  be  debarred ; 

To  suffer  hardships  and  neglect 

From  him  who  promised  to  protect ; 

But  she  an  invalid  had  to  go 

Through  driving  storms  of  rain  and  snow. 

And  painful  plod  the  weary  way, 

While  he  would  in  a  bar-room  stay. 

So  thirsty  was  his  stomach's  sake 

Not  e'en  a  paper  could  she  take ; 

The  New  York  paper  that  she  took 

He  left  upon  their  debit- book ; 

The  editors  could  not  be  paid, — 

The  whiskey  bills  must  be  defrayed, 

E'en  if  she  went  from  door  to  door 

With  a  hand-organ  to  implore. 

She  knew  not  that  the  demon  change 

Fixed  in  his  heart  Delilah  strange, 

The  competence  her  parents  gave 

He  threw  upon  the  surging  wave ; 


72  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

Her  brothers  for  his  bread  and  meat 
Gave  cash :  he  threw  it  in  the  street ; 
Called  on  the  dogs  to  come  and  eat. 
The  village  boys  canie  at  his  call, 
To  see  the  greenbacks  'round  him  fall. 
He  took  his  pistol  from  his  side, 
And  panther-like  the  objects  spied  ; 
The  shark  and  tiger  must  have  prey ; 
His  hand  was  lifted  up  to  slay. 
He  told  them  they  must  homeward  run, 
Or  he  would  shoot  them  with  his  gun . 
They  made  a  double-quick  retreat, 
And  but  one  dog  remained  to  eat, 
A  mastiff,  somewhat  like  old  Tray, 
That  danger  could  not  drive  away. 

His  father's  means  Jie  also  spent ; 

Life  policies  to  chaos  went, 

Ten  thousand  dollars  every  cent. 

Son  vs.  Father  was  so  bad 

The  poor  old  man  went  raving  mad ; 

A  Tuny  of  the  hopeless  kind, 

In  Danville  walls  his  life  resigned. 

He  said  from  slumbers  soft  as  silk 

He  used  to  rise  and  get  sweet  milk 

For  little  Jurist  in  the  night, 

"When  he  would  cry  before  daylight. 

Affliction  on  the  father  fell ; 

His  son  stayed  in  the  Maple  Dell. 

Now  Husband  vs.  Wife  is  here ; 
The  trouble  came  through  wine  and  beer. 
His  taste  for  cum  dates  far  away, 
Long  years  before  his  marriage  day. 


LIEUTENANT  JURIST.  73 

A  youth  whose  chin  showed  little  down, 
Dealing  ont  liquors  to  the  town  ; 
He  stood  within  his  father's  store, 
Where  whiskey  barrels  laid  on  the  floor ; 
Part  of  the  traffic  which  they  made 
Was  dealing  in  the  liquor  trade. 
This  youth  in  California  strayed, 
In  gambling-houses  poker  played ; 
Aristocratic  monte1  tried, 
And  for  his  losses  often  sighed, 
For  years  before  she  was  his  bride. 
Why,  why  this  minstrel  cast  his  spell 
Upon  her  heart  she  cannot  tell, 
No  more  can  solve  this  mystery 
Than  dive  for  treasures  in  the  sea. 
And  now  he'd  have  you  understand 
She  made  him  join  the  whiskey  band, 
She  drove  him  to  Delilah's  side, 
Because  she  was  a  truant  bride. 
Such  is  his  false  and  dastard  plea, 
Fine  Baal  of  Society. 

He  broke  the  sacred  marriage  vow ; 
'Tis  he  that  says,  "  Keep  silent  now, 
Or  with  a  habeas  corpus  writ 
I'll  take  your  child  legitimate ; 
Again  your  heart-strings  I  will  tear ; 
To  lose  your  boy  you  cannot  bear. 
This  stroke  will  lay  you  in  the  dust ; 
Keep  still  or  part  with  him  you  must ; 
Then,  with  Delilah  by  my  side, 
We'll  dance  the  polka  where  you  died ; 
And  yours  shall  be  the  waiting-boy, 
To  pour  the  wine  and  see  our  joy. 


74  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76.' 

We'll  teach  him  how  to  write  and  spell 
Belles-lettres  in  the  Maple  Dell." 

Her  competence  he  freely  spent ; 

His  stiffened  neck  does  not  repent ; 

He  with  unhallowed  passions  yearns, 

For  a  gay  bride  makes  no  returns 

Of  silver,  greenbacks,  or  the  gold, 

To  shield  her  from  the  storms  and  cold. 

With  anguish  piercing  every  nerve, 

She  clung  to  him  and  did  not  swerve, 

Till  he  abused  his  second  child, 

Then  she  could  not  be  meek  and  mild ; 

No  more  could  smile,  and  soothe,  and  pet, 

When  he  would  drink,  and  rave,  and  fret. 

He  said  that  he  would  break  her  head, 

She  should  leave  him  and  earn  her  bread. 

He  made  his  home  a  tiger's  lair, 

And  placed  her  life  in  peril  there, — 

Dropped  burning  lamps  upon  the  floor, 

Brought  loaded  pistols  through  the  door, 

Then  hired  Henry  Santica* 

To  help  Adelia  move  away. 

For  this  trip  he  could  pay  the  fares, 

And  lift  the  bed  and  broken  chairs, 

The  broken  table  and  the  trunk, 

That  showed  somebody's  manly  spunk. 

He  placed  them  on  the  wagon-load, 

To  haste  the  carter  on  the  road, 

To  get  her  where  the  owl  and  bat 

On  mossy  ruins  nightly  sat. 

His 

*  Henry  X  Santica,  a  respectable  colored  man,  whose  occu- 

mark. 

pation  was  that  of  a  carter. 


LIEUTENANT  JURIST.  75 

It  was  the  lawyer's  legal  scheme, 

To  bury  her  in  Lethe's  stream, 

While  he  went  chaperoning  on 

Amid  the  gayest  festal  throng. 

Now  Jurist  has  the  honored  Court 

Subpoena  her  to  make  report, 

Yet  wants  the  gospel  and  the  law, 

And  all  the  legal  wheat  and  straw, 

Or  he  will  seize  with  habeas  writ 

Upon  her  child  to  murder  it. 

Thus  Saturn-like  his  own  destroy, 

Her  only  child,  her  precious  boy ; 

Thus  snatch  from  her  her  blood  and  flesh, 

To  tear  her  wounded  heart  afresh. 

Their  love  was  slain  by  his  neglect ; 
Its  corpse  she  could  not  resurrect ; 
His  cruelty  dug  deep  the  ground, 
And  laid  it  'neath  its  final  mound. 
He  shaped  events,  the  day  was  o'er, 
Together  they  could  walk  no  more ; 
Herself  and  child  were  left  alone 
To  nibble  on  a  crust  and  bone. 
Delilah,  lively  as  a  hawk, 
With  her  he  took  the  inside  walk. 
Can  he  sail  forth  in  any  State 
Billing  and  cooing  for  a  mate  ? 
What  would  the  wise,  immortal  Penn 
Say  to  such  cruel,  drunken  men  ? 
Would  he  teach  them  the  catechism, 
Or  lock  them  in  a  Keystone  prison  ? 


76  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 


PENNSYLVANIA'S  VERDICT. 

THE  Court  gave  him  no  lover's  lute, 

It  honestly  "  dismissed  his  suit." 

Within  the  court  of  love  he  smiled, 

Within  the  court  of  justice  filed 

So  little  of  his  legal  lore, 

The  handsome  lawyer's  suit  was  o'er ; 

Adelia  held  first  mortgage  claim 

Upon  his  heart  and  honored  name. 

Penn's  verdict  o'er  the  hills  is  borne ; 

Delilah  gets  a  bugle  horn, 

Aloud  she  sounds  the  battle-cry, 

In  moonlit  groves  her  banners  fly ; 

Bellona  comes  with  fiery  arms, 

They're  desperate  o'er  the  lawyer's  charms ; 

They  wrap  him  in  a  coat  of  mail, 

They  tell  him  he  must  never  quail. 

The  sword  around  his  loins  they  gird, 

Fight  for  divorce  is  their  watchword. 

Adelia,  on  the  mountain-side 
No  longer  let  your  child  reside  ; 
To-night  he's  sick,  but  haste  and  go, 
He  is  pursued  by  dangerous  foe. 
Go  through  the  darkness  and  the  rain, 
A  guard  will  see  you  to  the  train. 
Though  lightnings  flash  and  thunders  roar, 
Make  haste  and  leave  New  Jersey's  shore ; 
Wrap  up  your  child,  make  good  your  speed, 
"  Now  is  the  time  and  hour  of  need." 


TELEGRAM  TO    THEMIS  AND  BELLONA         77 

New  York*  will  give  your  child  to  you 
Though  Pandemonium  come  and  sue ; 
They  might  as  well  tear  out  your  heart 
As  force  yourself  and  child  to  part. 
Jurist  would  drive  his  first-made  bride 
To  Danville,  where  his  father  died, 
Within  the  same  asylum  walls, 
Lamenting  for  her  infant's  calls. 


A   TELEGRAM    TO    THEMIS   AND    BEL- 
LONA. 

O  THEMIS,  goddess  of  the  law, 
His  image  will  you  fondly  draw 
On  canvas  with  your  finest  paint, 
For  your  own  honored  patron  saint. 

Bellona  of  the  deadly  strife, 
Crown  your  Lieutenant  now  for  life 
With  laurel,  myrtle,  and  the  bay, 
For  whiskey  made  him  lose  the  day. 
In  court  and  on  the  battle-field 
His  bottle  proved  a  worthless  shield. 


*  "  All  the  States  except  New  York  and  New  Hampshire 
place  a  premium  on  illegitimate  children  by  giving  only  such 
to  the  mother." 

Adelia's  was  a  legitimate  child,  consequently  New  York 
laws  would  not  permit  Lieutenant  Jurist  to  will  away  his 
child  from  its  mother  into  the  custody  of  any  guardian  when 
he  died  in  love  with  intoxicating  beverage  and  Delilah. 


78  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 


A  TELEGRAM  TO  DELILAH. 

YOUR  wreath  hangs  on  the  orange-tree, 
Delilah,  he  will  soon  be  free ; 
He  could  not  send  her  by  express, 
To  famish  in  the  wilderness. 
On  earth  there  is  no  secret  glen 
Where  she  has  met  with  truant  men. 
She  never  in  a  sylvan  glade 
From  twilight  till  next  morning  stayed  ; 
She  never  in  the  woods  at  dark, 
Could  study  Botany  and  spark  ; 
She's  been  in  no  sequestered  place, 
With  crimson  blushes  of  disgrace, 
Where  moon  and  stars  had  no  control 
To  sway  the  passions  of  the  soul, — • 
These  luminaries  in  the  sky 
On  mortals  keep  a  watchful  eye, — 
She  never  learned  to  read  and  spell, 
Coquetting  in  a  Maple  Dell. 

Delilah,  with  your  dark-green  eyes, 
Her  works,  I'm  told,  you  criticise  ; 
And  to  her  husband  fondly  cling, 
Chirp  like  a  bird  and  gayly  sing. 
When  steel  is  driven  in  your  heart 
You'll  know  how  she  has  felt  the  smart ; 
The  Mormon  laws  can  set  him  free, 
And  seal  you  in  iniquity. 
No  doubt  they'll  break  the  orange-stem, 
And  place  it  in  your  diadem ; 
And  let  you  wear  a  marriage-ring, 
And  offerings  to  their  Temple  bring. 


A    TELEGRAM   TO  EXCELSIOR.  79 

Utah  can  help  you  get  annexed, 

'Tis  she  can  preach  your  happy  text ; 

Her  Probate  Courts  are  in  full  force, — 

Utah  can  grant  a  fine  divorce. 

Beware !  'tis  not  a  spider's  net, 

With  geometric  figures  set ; 

A  circle  tunnel  for  abuse, 

Double  outlet  for  double  use, 

Where  the  sly  hunter  seeks  his  prey, 

Sucks  out  the  blood  and  casts  away ; 

For  such  a  net  will  fatal  be 

To  you  when  comes  wife  number  three ; 

You  may  drop  in  a  secret  cell, 

If  you  do  not  stay  fair  and  well. 

In  Salt  Lake  City  there's  no  Penn* 
That  will  dismiss  your  suit  again. 
Jurist  can  sing  this  loving  song — 
This  book  of  marital  right  and  wrong — 
Upon  his  gala  marriage  day 
To  cheer  you  on  your  amorous  way : 
The  moonlight  shines  on  him  and  thee, 
Delilah,  he  will  soon  be  free. 


A  TELEGRAM  TO  EXCELSIOR. 

EXCELSIOR,  'neath  the  silver  moon, 
In  April,  May,  or  leafy  June, 
Oh,  tell  me  of  the  honest  way 
To  get  divorce, — she  cannot  pay. 

*  The  Court  of  Common   Pleas  in  Pennsylvania,  whera 
Lieutenant  Jurist  failed  to  get  a  divorce. 


80  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

Excelsior,  'neath  the  azure  skies, 
Will  you  undo  her  wedded  ties  ? 
She  lost  her  handsome  truant  mate 
Within  the  limits  of  your  State. 
Oh,  give  three  magna-charta  bills 
To  help  her  climb  your  lofty  hills ! 
Can  she  be  the  owner  of  her  child, 
In  fear  of  no  marauder  wild  ? 
Will  you  grant  a  divorcing  bill 
To  her  from  him  who  tried  to  kill  ? 
Her  funds  that  he  appropriated 
Make  him  return  before  he's  mated ; 
Before  the  Utah  bells  proclaim 
Delilah  honored  bride  of  fame, 
And  sad  Adelia  gone  to  grass, 
The  remnant  of  her  life  to  pass 
Where  sheep  and  cattle  ruminate ; 
From  early  morn  till  evening  late, 
Upon  the  mountain's  rugged  side ; 
Where  moss  and  creeping  ferns  abide. 
Beside  the  solitary  rills 
That  wander  down  the  sterile  hills. 

Her  bridal  gifts  make  him  return 
Before  gay  Cupid's  torches  burn 
To  celebrate  the  marriage  day 
Of  Jurist,  handsome  runaway. 
Before  the  Utah  bells  all  ring, 
"Adelia,  poor,  demented  thing, 
Go  where  the  solemn  gray  owl  screams, 
Hoarse  minstrel  of  the  sylvan  streams ; 
Go  where  the  withered  myrtle-boughs 
Are  emblems  of  your  broken  vows ; 
Go  browse  upon  the  mountain  grass, 
Let  Jurist  and  Delilah  pass 


TELEGRAM  TO  BEAU-MONDE-BEAU  SOCIETY.    81 

Among  the  wise,  the  good,  and  great 
For  pillars  of  the  Mormon  State. 
Let  gay  Delilah  laugh  and  wear 
The  orange-blossoms  in  her  hair, 
Let  all  the  Mormon  elders  spread 
Their  plural  blessings  on  her  head. 
In  their  Endowment  House  record 
Delilah  wedded  to  her  lord. 
Sealed  in  their  Temple  far  from  Styx, 
The  reigning  belle  of  76." 
Before  such  tidings  fill  the  air, 
Excelsior,  grant  divorce  somewhere. 

Oh,  haste  and  grant  her  earnest  plea ! 
She  treated  him  most  tenderly. 
He  spent  her  funds  for  wine  and  beer, — 
Send  money  from  her  truant  deer. 
She's  often  weary,  faint,  and  sad, 
She  has  a  precious  little  lad ; 
On  poverty's  bleak  heath  you'll  find 
Them,  in  the  storm  and  cruel  wind ; 
Return  her  funds,  she'll  say  farewell, 
Jurist  in  the  Maple  Dell. 


A    TELEGRAM    TO    BEAU-MONDE-BEAU 
SOCIETY. 

SOME  of  your  handsome  beaux  have  strolled, 
And  to  Adelia  offered  gold ; 
For  her  they  tried  to  sweetly  sing 
As  nightingales  in  early  spring. 
6 


82  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

Such  beaux  she  never  may  behold 

Again  with  diamonds,  pearls,  and  gold. 

She  told  them  they  must  homeward  go, 

Their  gifts  upon  their  wives  bestow ; 

For  she  would  sooner  starve  and  grieve 

Than  outrage  virtue  and  deceive. 

A  guilty  conscience  in  her  breast 

Would  never  give  her  any  rest ; 

Wages  of  sin  to  dross  would  turn, 

Ill-gotten  goods  in  flames  would  burn. 

She'd  live  on  mountain  berries  wild, 

But  she  would  not  disgrace  her  child. 

Such  beaux  you  hover  'iieath  your  wing, 

You  smile  and  smile  to  hear  them  sing ; 

Delilah's  bridal  couch  you'd  spread 

Amid  the  dying  and  the  dead ; 

You'd  scourge  with  whips  of  scorpions  those 

Whom  her  beau  famished  and  half  froze. 

Jurist  does  wrong,  you  smile  to  see 

Him  flourish  like  a  green  bay-tree ; 

But  should  the  best  of  womankind 

Swear,  drink,  or  fight,  you  soon  wrould  bind 

A  millstone  round  her  slender  neck 

And  sink  her  for  a  useless  wreck  ; 

Or  else  you'd  cast  a  shower  of  stones, 

And  never  heed  her  dying  groans. 

But  heaven's  all-seeing  eyes  perceive 

What  Adam  does  as  well  as  Eve. 

Ye  beau-monde-beaux,  you  know,  alas ! 

Your  vices  hid  for  virtues  pass ; 

You  know  a  reckoning  day  of  doom 

Will  surely  come  beyond  the  tomb. 

In  sunlight  of  the  great  white  throne, 

Bad  as  you  are,  you  will  be  known. 


COURTING  IN  THE  MAPLE  DELL  CONTINUES.   83 


COURTING  IN  THE  MAPLE  DELL  CON- 
TINUES. 

"  DELILAH,  cease  to  weep  and  wail, 
Adelia  and  her  cause  will  fail ; 
We'll  send  Bellona  from  the  grove 
And  sing  once  more  of  faithful  love. 
When  darkness  on  the  waters  lay 
We'll  safely  go  to  Newark  Bay. 
Upon  a  dark  and  stormy  night, 
When  not  one  star  appears  in  sight, 
And  not  one  single  lunar  ray 
Illumes  the  shore  of  Newark  Bay ; 
Near  midnight,  when  the  city  scouts 
Are  far  away  on  distant  routes ; 
When  all  Penn's  Quakers  soundly  sleep, 
And  proud  Excelsior  climbs  the  steep 
Of  Alpine  regions  far  away, 
Our  bark  will  glide  o'er  Newark  Bay. 
A  flask  of  whiskey  pure  and  old 
We'll  have  within  the  vessel's  hold. 
We  went  to  Milford  at  noonday ; 
Adelia  trod  the  mountain  way. 
Disaster  was  upon  her  track, 
Penn's  courtiers  strongly  turned  us  back. 

"  The  Trenton  Court  will  soon  appear ; 
Get  in  this  hammock,  precious  dear, 
Then  you  will  get  refreshing  sleep, 
And  I  will  faithful  vigils  keep ; 
Get  in  this  hammock,  and  the  trees 
Will  soothe  you  with  their  cooling  breeze." 


84        THE  MAPLE  DELL  OF  '76. 


THE  LAWYER'S  VESPEREE  IN  THE 
MAPLE  DELL. 

"  SLEEP,  love,  where  the  hammock  swings 

On  the  breeze's  sportive  wings ; 

Dream  not  of  the  Milford  air, 

Trenton  is  a  city  fair. 

When  sable  curtains  are  unfurled 

Darkness  rests  upon  the  world. 

Our  night  will  change  to  nuptial  day 
With  Cupid  on  the  Newark  Bay. 

"  Sleep,  love,  where  the  maple-leaf 

Wafts  away  each  shade  of  grief; 

Dream  not  of  the  Keystone  State, 

In  Trenton  lies  our  happy  fate. 

We'll  go  and  see  New  Jersey  blue, 

And  to  our  cause  she  will  prove  true. 
Our  night  will  change  to  nuptial  day 
With  Cupid  on  the  Newark  Bay. 

"  Sleep,  love,  'neath  the  maple-bough, 
Where  we  have  plighted  many  a  vow ; 
This  time  Adelia  shall  not  know 
Of  us,  where  dark-winged  zephyrs  blow ; 
Nothing  to  her  will  I  report, 
She'll  never  hear  of  Trenton  Court. 
Our  night  will  change  to  nuptial  day 
With  Cupid  on  the  Newark  Bay. 

"  Sleep,  love,  where  the  woodbine  twines, 
And  the  flowering  columbines ; 
No  information  from  us  hence, 
Adelia  shall  make  no  defence. 


TELEGRAM   TO    THE   COURT  OF  CHANCERY.   85 

This  time  she  shall  not  know  the  place 
Where  the  Court  meets  to  fix  her  case. 
Our  night  will  change  to  nuptial  day 
With  Cupid  on  the  Newark  Bay. 

"  Sleep,  love,  where  the  nightingale 

Wakes  echoes  in  the  tuneful  vale. 

Away  to  Jersey  we  will  go, 

Desertion  I  will  plainly  show ; 

The  best  of  lawyers  I'll  employ* 

To  get  divorce,  and  then  my  boy. 
Our  night  will  change  to  nuptial  day 
With  Cupid  on  the  Newark  Bay. 

"  Awake,  my  love,  to  Jersey  hie, 
While  clouds  are  in  the  midnight  sky ; 
To  Newark  and  to  Trenton  fair, 
Awake,  my  love,  for  triumph  there ; 
Awake,  my  love,  from  slumbers  sweet, 
While  darkness  makes  a  safe  retreat. 
Our  night  will  change  to  nuptial  day 
With  Cupid  on  the  Newark  Bay." 


A  TELEGKAM  TO  THE  HON.  COURT  OF 
NEW  JERSEY  CHANCERY,  OF  1876. 

YE  honorable  and  noble  Court, 
Must  true  wives  never  make  report  ? 
Must  they  just  smother  all  their  groans, 
While  whiskey  takes  their  flesh  and  bones  ? 

*  Jurist  employed  Newark  lawyers. 


86  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

Subpoenaed  by  her  fine  ingrate, 
She  went  into  the  Keystone  State, 
To  see  his  merits  tested  there, 
On  scales  of  justice  true  and  fair ; 
It  was  the  truant's  own  command : 
He  summoned  her  on  Keystone  land. 
Before  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas 
His  ignominy  took  low  degrees. 
From  it  he  turned  his  Janus-face, 
The  Court  dismissed  his  wanton  case. 
Then  on  an  underground  railway 
Again  the  truant  fled  away. 
He  feared  the  Milford  evidence, 
He  feared  Adelia's  just  defence, 
And  cowardly  away  he  stole 
In  Jersey  to  elude  the  whole. 

New  Jersey  gave  a  bogus  writ ; 
To  him  is  it  a  full  permit 
To  make  his  libel  good  and  true, 
To  hang  it  in  the  world's  full  view. 
What  is  divorce  ?  a  truant's  lie, 
Steamed  in  hot  rum  from  Jersey  rye, 
With  sacred  pledges  faithless  torn 
By  Jurist  since  his  wedding  morn, 
Nearly  a  score  of  years  ago, 
When  she  thought  him  an  honest  beau. 
If  so,  oh,  where  has  justice  fled? 
Are  all  the  Jersey  Solons  dead  ? 

She  never  heard  where  she  was  lawed, 
Until  a  friend  disclosed  the  fraud. 
After  the  year  was  passed  and  gone, 
In  which  you  sanctioned  moral  wrong, 


TELEGRAM   TO    THE   COURT  OF  CHANCERY,   g? 

Did  perjury  in  a  fleece  of  wool 

Over  your  eyes  securely  pull, 

Till  your  orbs  turned  to  handsome  pink, 

Red  as  the  best  vermilion  ink  ? 

And  was  the  fleece  so  thick  and  white 

You  could  not  tell  the  wrong  from  right  ? 

From  wife  and  child  he  took  their  last, 

Also  his  creditors  are  vast. 

Himself  is  the  gay  truant  lord, 

He  drove  Adelia  with  rum's  sword. 

'Twas  Jurist  sent  his  wife  and  child 

To  famish  on  a  mountain  wild  ; 

'Twas  he  that  paid  the  carter's  fare ; 

'Twas  he  you  heard  so  falsely  swear. 

When  a  black  cat  hides  in  your  meal, 

Do  not  your  senses  see  nor  feel 

The  fur,  the  head,  the  feet,  nor  claws, 

So  easy  are  your  moral  laws  ? 

Has  honor  from  your  court- room  fled  ? 

Are  all  the  Jersey  Solons  dead  ? 

Do  you  have  leather  goggles  on 

When  you  distinguish  right  from  wrong? 

Do  apples*  from  the  dead  lone  sea 

Seem  to  you  of  best  quality  ? 

All  soundness  with  the  fruitage  blent, 

From  seeds  clear  to  the  'tegument. 

Because  the  outside  peel  looks  fair, 

Do  you  say  nectar  food  is  there, 

When  bitter  ashes  to  the  core 

It  is  if  you  would  but  explore  ? 

*  "  The  apples  of  Sodom,  beautiful  without,  but  dust  and 
ashes  within." 


88  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

In  Blackstone's  laws  do  you  profess 

Eternal  justice  and  happiness, 

So  tightly  woven  in  one  net, 

Both  or  not  either  man  can  get  ? 

Do  you  believe  Justinian  true  ? 

He  says  give  each  his  proper  due, 

Live  honestly,  from  fraud  keep  clear, 

Hurt  no  one  on  this  earthly  sphere ; 

Or  have  wise  laws  perverted  been 

Till  they  indorse  all  kinds  of  sin  ? 

Does  Themis,  goddess  of  the  law, 

Keep  poison  whiskey  mixed  and  raw  ? 

Has  she  a  never-failing  fount 

In  every  vale  and  every  mount, 

Where  alcoholic  vapors  rise 

Lurid  to  cloud  domestic  skies  ? 

Can  all  sworn  traitors  come  to  you 

For  license  to  get  wives  anew, 

And  form  a  Utah  of  their  own 

To  multiply  their  flesh  and  bone  ? 

Can  all  sworn  traitors  come  to  you 

For  license  to  get  wives  anew 

Who  live  outside  of  Jersey  State, 

Regardless  how  they  emigrate 

From  any  clime  or  any  zone  ? 

Can  you  dispose  their  case  alone, 

To  court  and  marry  where  they  please, 

And  let  their  offspring  starve  and  freeze  ? 

In  a  one-sided  easy  suit, 

Where  the  defendant  must  be  mute, 

Not  knowing  of  the  time  or  place, 

Till  after  you  have  won  the  case, 

You  never  let  Adelia  know 

Where  lurked  her  wily  truant  foe. 


TELEGRAM  TO   THE   COURT  OF  CHANCERY.  89 

No  chance  you  gave  her  for  defence, 
No  chance  to  give  her  evidence. 
Is  just  one  arbitrary  voice 
Enough  to  make  a  legal  choice  ? 
In  this  great  land  of  liberty 
How  can  such  legislation  be ! 
There  is  a  judgment  bar  above 
That  knows  of  all  illicit  love; 
Be  it  strange  women  or  red  wine, 
There's  One  who  sees  all  earthly  crime. 
I'd  sooner  browse  on  herbage  wild 
Than  sentence  any  wife  or  child 
Before  I  listen  to  their  plea, 
Were  I  a  judge  of  Chancery. 
Justice  should  have  its  fullest  sway, 
At  midnight  and  in  blaze  of  day. 
My  hand  I'd  sever  from  its  wrist 
Before  I'd  aid  a  bigamist. 
Has  honor  from  your  court-house  fled  ? 
Are  all  the  Jersey  Solons  dead  ? 

His  libel  did  you  deign  to  spread 

O'er  true  love,  murdered  cold  and  dead  ; 

By  cruel  Jurist  it  was  slain : 

He  drew  the  life-blood  from  each  vein.- 

He  made  that  true  heart  beat  its  last, 

Its  lips  in  death  he  sealed  them  fast ; 

Destroyed  its  beauty  and  its  grace, 

And  dug  for  it  a  burial-place. 

With  him  the  guilt  now  wholly  lies 

For  spreading  darkness  o'er  love's  eyes. 

He  murdered  it,  in  first  degree, 

By  his  neglect  and  cruelty, 

Then  o'er  its  grave  a  libel  swore : 

He  is  Delilah's  troubadour. 


90  THE  MAPLE  DELL    OF  '76. 

Adelia's  Bible,  too,  he  took. 

Make  him  return  her  cash  and  book 

Before  society  comes  out, 

With  banners  and  triumphant  shout, 

With  demijohns  of  rum  and  wine, 

To  wed  him  with  a  concubine. 

Take  off  your  goggles,  dust  them  well, 

That  you  may  vice  from  virtue  tell, 

And  truth  from  falsehood  clearly  see, 

When  perjury  comes  in  Chancery. 

Let  not  Madeira  wine  that's  made 

From  Jersey  cider  cloud  your  brain. 

Tell  me,  oh,  where  has  justice  fled? 

Are  all  the  Jersey  Solons  dead  ? 

Your  typical  divinity* 
Has  bandaged  eyes,  she  cannot  see. 
No  wonder  justice  goes  astray, 
When  a  blind  goddess  leads  the  way. 
For  when  the  blind  by  blind  are  led, 
The  best  authority  has  said, 
The  blind  guide  and  pursuers  pitch 
All  down  together  in  the  ditch, 
If  in  the  ditch  you  do  not  know 
Whose  husband  is  Delilah's  beau. 
Ye  watchmen  on  the  tower,  alas ! 
When  such  as  you  let  evils  pass, 
Tell  me,  oh,  where  has  justice  fled  ? 
Are  all  the  Jersey  Solons  dead  ? 

*  "  That  typical  divinity  who  presides  over  the  administra 
tion  of  public  justice  is  always  represented  as  blindfolded." 


TELEGRAM  TO    CHURCH-GOING   PEOPLE.       91 

A  TELEGRAM  TO  CHURCH-GOING 
PEOPLE. 

COULD  one  true  heart  say  "  All  is  well," 

Should  her  spouse  with  Delilah  dwell, 

And  fill  the  flowing  bowl  up  high, 

And  courtship  in  the  moonlight  try, 

Till  whiskey  turned  his  heart  and  head, 

To  get  divorce  and  then  to  wed, 

To  banish  her  his  first-made  bride 

To  perish  on  a  mountain-side, 

In  a  lone  cabin  damp  and  cold, 

Covered  with  moss  and  filled  with  mould, 

Where  owlets  scream  and  ravens  fly, 

Alone  to  famish,  faint,  and  die, 

While  her  own  money  went  to  fix 

A  flaming  belle  of  76  ? 

To  such  a  habeas  corpus  writ 

Where  lives  the  man  who  would  submit? 

Should  his  own  lordship  ever  be 

The  victim  of  such  revelry, 

Would  he  say  whiskey  was  the  thing 

From  which  true  happiness  could  spring? 


FAREWELL,  FAREWELL  FOREVER. 

ADELIA  stands  on  the  mountain-side,* 
Her  rights  of  law  have  been  denied. 
Delilah,  hang  upon  his  sleeve, 
In  all  his  artifice  believe, 

*  A  mountain  in  Pennsylvania,  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Dela 
ware,  where  Lieutenant  Jurist  subpoenaed  Adelia  to  appear  in 
order  to  see  his  integrity  weighed  in  the  legal  balance. 


92  THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

Wed  with  him  quickly  as  you  can, 
You're  welcome  to  the  truant  man. 
Run  out  your  cannon,  sound  your  gong, 
For  victory  on  the  side  of  wrong ; 
Have  all  the  whiskey  force  come  out 
And  help  you  raise  triumphant  shout, 
Till  all  the  world  shall  know  and  hear 
Of  your  success  with  lager  beer. 
She's  not  alone  in  this  defeat, 
The  right  and  truth  for  her  are  sweet, 
And  both  of  them  are  on  her  side, 
And  God  is  good,  and  will  provide. 
You're  welcome  to  fine  Jurist  now, 
He's  broken  every  sacred  vow, 
Her  presence  never  shall  annoy 
Your  world  of  transitory  joy, 
Where  you  and  he  in  pleasures  dwell 
She'll  never  come.     Farewell !  farewell ! 

Adelia  stands  on  the  mountain-side, 

Her  rights  of  law  have  been  denied ; 

'Tis  said  she  wrote  him  a  divorce, 

In  it  she  told  his  murderous  course, — 

How  he  had  tried  to  take  her  life, 

And  she  had  ceased  to  be  his  wife. 

He'd  hired  Henry  Santica 

Ere  this  to  move  their  things  away 

Into  a  cabin  damp  and  cold, 

Covered  with  moss  and  filled  with  mould 

And  in  these  cabin  walls  she  wrote 

Jurist  a  dissolution  note, 

In  which  she  put  her  money  claim 

On  him,  and  asked  him  for  the  same. 

'Twas  sent  to  the  false,  truant  one 

After  his  barbarous  deeds  were  done, 


FAREWELL,  FAREWELL  FOREVER.         93 

After  he  broke  the  marriage  tie, 

After  he  sent  her  forth  to  die 

And  starve  beneath  a  leaky  roof, 

And  of  it  there  is  living  proof. 

To  all  her  thousands — one,  two,  three — 

Farewell,  her  funds  she  ne'er  will  see. 

Adelia  stands  on  the  mountain-side 

And  gladly  leaves  the  past, 
With  conscience  clear  to  walk  alone, 

Where  dangers  are  less  vast. 
She  stood  at  the  altar  a  trusting  bride, 

And  thought  of  no  breakers  near    • 
To  wreck  their  love  on  the  boiling  tide 

Of  foaming  lager  beer. 

In  one  short  year  she  saw  her  plight, — 

Her  husband  was  whiskey's  guest ; 
He  drank  and  revelled  day  and  night, 

And  robbed  her  soul  of  rest. 
His  war-clouds  gathered  in  black  array 
As  he  spent  her  money  in  drink  away ; 
His  rule  was  a  reign  of  terror  and  sin, 
Farewell  to  the  perils  of  brandy  and  gin. 

Adelia  stands  on  the  mountain-side 

And  casts  a  backward  glance, 
And  leaves  the  past  with  willing  heart, 

No  more  its  charms  enhance. 
Their  love  was  murdered  in  first  degree, 
As  dead  as  any  corpse  could  be, 
By  Lawyer  Jurist :  in  whiskey's  strife 
He  struck  the  blows  to  take  its  life. 
There's  naught  can  resurrect  its  form, 
No  shower  of  tears  or  friendship  warm ; 


THE  MAPLE  DELL   OF  '76. 

He  buried  it  'neath  ruins  deep, 
Where  naught  on  earth  can  wake  its  sleep. 
True  love,  most  cruel  was  your  fate. 
Farewell !  you  never  were  his  mate. 

Adelia  stands  on  the  mountain-side, 

Her  heart  beats  a  calm  retreat ; 
Fine  Jurist  went  forth  in  lofty  pride 

To  make  his  sins  replete, 
To  find  a  Court  of  Chancery 
To  legalize  vile  perjury. 
He  swore  that  she  deserted  him, 
Thus  added  perjury  to  his  sin. 
Who  thus  ad  'finituin  can  stretch 
The  law  is  a  deceptive  wretch ; 
Who  thus  the  law  can  violate 
With  no  true  woman's  heart  can  mate. 
And  if  he  stood  by  her  side  to-day 

Not  even  their  hands  could  meet, 
No  matter  if  half  the  weary  world 

Lies  out  between  their  feet. 
She  stands  on  the  lonely  mountain-side, 

And  he's  in  the  Maple  Dell ; 
Their  hearts  are  severed  far  apart, 

No  more  in  love  to  dwell. 
Alas,  when  doings  of  wine  and  gin 
Thus  separate  the  nearest  kin ! 
He  broke  the  sacred  marriage  vow. 
Farewell,  forever,  to  him  now. 


THE  HIGHEST  AND  BEST  COURT.  95 


THE  HIGHEST  AND  BEST  COURT. 

ADELIA  stands  on  mountain  moss, 
And  leaves  the  past  with  all  its  loss ; 
She's  ready  now  for  a  divorce 
From  any  good  authentic  source ; 
But  for  it  knows  not  how  to  pay, — 
Fine  Jurist  took  her  cash  away. 

In  heaven  there  is  a  judgment  bar, 
From  it  no  mortal  is  afar ; 
It  is  the  very  highest  court, — 
There  God  is  judge  of  each  report. 
Up  in  the  mansions  bright  and  fair 
Her  babes  can  have  a  Father's  care. 

There's  One  who  sees  the  false  and  true,— 
'Tis  no  short-sighted  interview. 
There  we  will  see  who  takes  the  part 
Of  every  faithful,  bleeding  heart. 
All  suffering  caused  by  wine  and  rum 
Before  God's  court  will  surely  come. 
In  sunlight  of  His  great  white  throne 
The  just  and  unjust  will  be  known. 
Jehovah  Jireh,  she  will  say, — 
He'll  help  her  o'er  life's  rugged  way. 


THE    END. 


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